IS kidnaps 344 workers northeast of Damascus

DAMASCUS - The Islamic State (IS) militants are believed to have kidnapped 344 Syrian workers and employees from a cement factory near Damascus, the pro-government Sham FM radio reported on Wednesday.

The IS militants attacked the cement factory in the town of Dumair northeast of the capital Damascus, and herded the abductees to an unknown destination on Monday afternoon.

All the hostages were civilians, said the report, adding that the factory is privately owned, not government-run.

The attack was conducted with the local militants who pledged alliance to the IS, said the report, adding that the Syrian air force sent a drone to check and found the factory empty of people and machines, appeared to be plundered.

The control of Dumair is divided between the Islamist groups and the Syrian army.

The incident took place in tandem with the simultaneous attacks the IS carried out against the airbase of Dumair, which was defended by the Syrian army.