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The U.S.-led coalition carried out airstrikes Thursday against ISIS in northeastern Syria as fierce fighting raged between local militiamen and the jihadis, who now hold more than 200 Assyrian hostages, activists said, The Daily Star reported.

The U.S. and partner nations launched 14 airstrikes against ISIS militants in Iraq and Syria since Wednesday morning, the Combined Joint Task Force said. Five airstrikes were conducted in Syria and targeted ISIS tactical units in Hassakeh province, where the hostages are being held, and the jihadis’ fighting positions near Ain al-Arab.

The raids struck areas around the town of Tal Tamer in Hassakeh province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, without giving information on possible casualties.

They followed the launch Monday of a new offensive by ISIS, which kidnapped the Assyrians as it seized territory around Tal Tamer.

Many of those abducted are said to be women, children or elderly.

The Observatory said negotiations were ongoing “through mediators from Arab tribes and a member of the Assyrian community” to secure their release.

Younan Talia, a senior official with the Assyrian Democratic Organization, said ISIS had raided 33 Assyrian villages, seizing as many as 300 people. Osama Edward, director of the Assyrian Network for Human Rights in Syria, said his group had documented the names of 255 missing people.

The ISIS offensive has killed at least 35 jihadis and 31 members of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and of an Assyrian defense force, according to the Observatory.