(CNN)ISIS is holding many more Assyrian Christians hostage than previously thought -- and it is reportedly planning to release a message Wednesday threatening to kill them.At what point does this become more than murder and kidnapping and tip into genocide against Christians?
Osama Edward, founder of the Assyrian Human Rights Network, told CNN that the extremist group is now believed to have 150 hostages, citing the latest information from the network's team on the ground.
Initial estimates put the number seized at between 70 and 100 people, among them women, children and the elderly.
The video message will be directed to President Barack Obama and other members of the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS, Edward said from Stockholm, Sweden.
The president says that this is not a religious war. ISIS would beg to differ...whether slaughtering Christians or those they consider apostates, they're killing for and about religion.
But back to the issue at hand.
When do we start calling this genocide?
I hate to use the old internet meme, but in this case its applicable. When did the Nazi atrocities tip into genocide? I really don't know. I've never seen it quantified.
One thing is clear. ISIS is different. This war is different. Hearts and minds has never worked and will definitely NOT work with these people.
