ARA News 

AFRIN – Extremists of the Islamic State (ISIS) have killed dozens of civilians in Syria’s northern Aleppo province, activists and eyewitnesses reported on Monday.

The radical group has captured over 40 civilians while trying to escape the ISIS-held town of Um al-Housh in Aleppo countryside.

“ISIS terrorists have mercilessly slaughtered them at the entrance of the town, threatening the residents that anyone who would try to leave without permission will face a similar punishment,” local media activist Salem Hamdan told ARA News. 

The victims were trying to reach areas held by the western-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northern countryside of Aleppo, before ISIS militants captured and slaughtered them. 

“My brother, his wife and their four children were among the victims. They have been trying to find a safer place, but they were arrested and executed by ISIS militants before leaving Um al-Housh,” Abu Lian, 37, told ARA News in Aleppo. 

In the meantime, hundreds of civilians were able to escape the besieged city of Manbij, using a humanitarian corridor opened by the Kurdish-led SDF troops west of the city, while clashes continued between the SDF and ISIS militants.

“We are trying to rescue the stranded civilians and prevent the terror group from using them as human shields during the clashes,” SDF officer Habun Osman told ARA News.  

Reporting by: Siman Jiwan 

Source: ARA News