IS fighters free six hostages in exchange with Syrian govt

BEIRUT, Oct 20 (AP): The Islamic State group early on Saturday released two women and four children they had been holding since July in the first part of an exchange with the Syrian government.

Syrian government will set free dozens of women related to members of the extremist group, opposition activists said.

The women and children were among 30 people kidnapped by IS in the southern province of Sweida on July 25 when they carried out a raid that left at least 216 people dead. One woman died in IS custody while another was shot dead. In August, a 19-year-old man was also killed while in detention.

Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the women and children were the first batch of the exchange, adding that more will follow. The Observatory said the government in return will release 60 women held by authorities and a $27 million ransom.