ISIS Kidnaps 300 Cement Workers Near Syria Capital

Attacks on Dumeir Set Stage for Move Against Factory

Syrian ISIS attacks around the capital city of Damascus yesterday were seen targeting a power station, and several police checkpoints around Dumeir. The real target, however, appears to have been a private cement factory in Dumeir.

Officials now say that ISIS hit the Bayda Cement Company in Dumeir and captured at an estimated 300 workers. Where they took them or what their status is remains unknown.

ISIS has been launching a growing number of attacks around Damascus in recent weeks, with officials saying it’s an attempt to retaliate after the loss of Palmyra. The group seems to be targeting more and more sites in the area.

ISIS has conducted a number of mass kidnappings in both Iraq and Syria throughout the war, sometimes releasing everyone unharmed, and other times either holding them for ransom, or conducting mass executions.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.