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| Fears for more than 300 civilians 'captured by Isis' at cement factory in Syria | Fears for more than 300 civilians 'captured by Isis' at cement factory in Syria |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Doubts have emerged over reports that Isis has massacred 175 civilians captured at a cement factory near the Syrian capital. | |
| Reuters quoted Syrian military sources reporting the killings on Friday, days after officials said more than 300 workers were missing from the Al Badia Cement Company. | |
| The news agency later said the source had been "misattributed" and warned that the report was unconfirmed. | The news agency later said the source had been "misattributed" and warned that the report was unconfirmed. |
| Russian state media also reported the massacre, saying sources on the ground were “almost certain” a mass execution took place. | |
| Sputnik News claimed 175 people were murdered “because of their religious affiliation” but that some fled and others were allowed to leave. | |
| Russian special forces are supporting Bashar al-Assad's troops in Syria, where the Russian air force is backing their military campaigns with air strikes. | |
| The cement factory lies north-east of Damascus in an area of countryside targeted by an Isis advance in recent days. | |
| Syrian state media reported that officials in the nearby town of Jeiroud saw around 125 of the abducted workers being transported in Isis vehicles, heading towards Tal Dakweh. | Syrian state media reported that officials in the nearby town of Jeiroud saw around 125 of the abducted workers being transported in Isis vehicles, heading towards Tal Dakweh. |
| “We haven’t been able to reach our family members since noon on Monday after an attack by Daesh [Isis] on the factory,” one resident of Jeiroud told the AFP news agency. “We have no information about where they are.” | |
| The Syrian Arab News Agency said a “reconciliation committee” had been handed 106 employees on Wednesday. | The Syrian Arab News Agency said a “reconciliation committee” had been handed 106 employees on Wednesday. |
| Amaq Agency, which publishes Isis propaganda, posted footage claiming to be from inside the cement factory. | Amaq Agency, which publishes Isis propaganda, posted footage claiming to be from inside the cement factory. |
| It showed diggers and lorries parked in a deserted depot, with Isis fighters milling around office buildings and the group's black flag fluttering at the entrance. | It showed diggers and lorries parked in a deserted depot, with Isis fighters milling around office buildings and the group's black flag fluttering at the entrance. |
| The body of a man dressed in military fatigues was shown lying on the ground. | The body of a man dressed in military fatigues was shown lying on the ground. |
| According to Al Badia’s website, the plant started production in 2011 and employs 360 people. | According to Al Badia’s website, the plant started production in 2011 and employs 360 people. |
| Fierce clashes have erupted in the area in recent days between Isis, government forces and Syrian rebels. | Fierce clashes have erupted in the area in recent days between Isis, government forces and Syrian rebels. |
| The jihadists reportedly sought to seize control of the nearby Dumeir air base and a power plant but were pushed back. | The jihadists reportedly sought to seize control of the nearby Dumeir air base and a power plant but were pushed back. |