IS takes 700 hostages

ISLAMIC State has taken nearly 700 people hostage, including several European and US nationals, in Syria and has vowed to kill 10 a day, Vladimir Putin has claimed.

The jihadis are holding their prisoners captive somewhere south of the Euphrates River and have released images (right) of the victims. Mr Putin said IS was expanding in areas controlled by US-backed forces and blasted America for the catastrophic failure.

“Islamic State terrorists have delivered ultimatums and made certain demands, threatening to shoot 10 people every day,” he said. “This is just horrible, it is a catastrophe. Some US and European citizens are among the hostages.”

It was reported earlier this week that IS militants had taken about 700 hostages in Syria’s Deir al-Zor province after attacking a refugee camp in an area controlled by USbacked forces.

“Everyone is silent as if nothing has happened,” Mr Putin said, claiming US forces looked away during the attack even though pictures showed fighter jets in the sky overhead during the assault.