Gangs have attacked the village of Minbic between Kobanê (Ayn al-Arab) and Jarablus, taking hostage dozens of civilians, women and children amongst them. The names of 20 of those abducted have been established. 5 of those abducted were visitors from North Kurdistan. Gangs separately attacked a girls' primary school, abducting 5 pupils.
According to the latest reports armed groups affiliated to the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), which is close to Al Qaeda, and other armed groups are attacking and looting houses belonging to Kurds in Minbic and surrounding villages. Armed gangs have also set up a road block on the road between Kobanê and Jarablus, abducting many Kurdish civilians from vehicles.

20 HOSTAGES NAMED
Twenty of the civilians named are:
Azad Hisên (7), Fatma İsmail and her daughters Jiyan Ehmed and Eyşan Ehmed, Egid Beşar, Beşar Xişo and Mehmud Beşar Xişo, Luqman Xişo and Ebdilrezaq Remezan Xişo, Newroz Subhi Şêyho, Xelil Ismail, Şukri Reşo and İbrehim Reşo, Bekri Reşo and Ziyad Reşo, Yasir Mistefa Silo, Cumaa Betran, Nuri Eli Betran and Ebdo Bozan.

Armed groups are also reported to have attacked Bale village 7 kilometres to the west of Minbic, taking dozens of Kurdish civilians hostage. It is not yet known where the hostages have been taken. It is reported that 5 of those abducted are Kurds from North Kurdistan who went to the area on business. One of those abducted was Mihemed Nebo, who had returned to his house in Xane village from Algeria.

GANGS' DECISION TAKEN IN ALEPPO
These attacks on civilians followed threats made by the ISI's "Aleppo Provincial Commander". According to a news item yesterday on the Zaman al-Wasl website, which is close to the Syrian opposition supported by Western countries, Gulf monarchies and Turkey, the ISI's "Provincial Commander" has taken a decision to blockade certain Kurdish towns.