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The Islamic State militants said they were ready to begin a gradual release of hundreds of Assyrian Christians held hostage if the US-led international coalition halts airstrikes in northeastern Syria, Al-Akhbar newspaper reported Friday, according to Sputnik.

The newspaper cited a source close to the talks with extremists, saying that the Islamic State demanded that the international coalition stops bombing the towns of Tal Tamer and Jabal Abd Al Aziz in exchange for the captives’ release.

Elders of the two Arab communities are mediating the talks on hostage release, Al-Akhbar said.

On Thursday, Christian Catholic web portal Crux reported that the Islamic State militants allegedly murdered at least 15 Assyrian captives, citing sources in the Assyrian Christian Church.

The Islamic State militants reportedly seized several Assyrian Christian villages in northeastern Syria on Monday. The Islamists demolished churches and abducted at least 90 civilians, including priests, women and children. Over the next several days, the Islamic State seized even more hostages, with their estimated number varying between 200 and 350 people. Syrian Observatory for Human rights put this number at 220 people.