Islamic State kills 128 civilians in revenge attack

Beirut, October 23

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Monday that Islamic State killed at least 128 persons in a Syrian town in central Homs over a three-week period before the Syrian army recaptured it on Saturday.

“IS has over a period of 20 days executed at least 128 civilians in reprisal killings, accusing them of collaborating with the regime forces,” said Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Observatory, a Britain-based war monitor.

There was no immediate comment from Syrian government officials or state media on the report by the Observatory.

Syrian troops and allied forces regained control of al-Qaryatayn town “after eliminating terrorist Daesh (Islamic State) groups that had infiltrated it,” state media said on Saturday.

“After the regime retook it, the town’s residents found the bodies on the streets. They had been shot dead or executed with knives,” Abdel Rahman said. “Most of the IS fighters who attacked the town a month ago were sleeper cells... They are from the town, know the town’s residents and who is for or against the regime,” he said.

Earlier this month, the Observatory said IS fighters had seized the town from government forces, part of a counter-attack by the jihadists who have come under intense pressure in eastern Syria. — Agencies