A total of 140 workers have fled captivity of the Islamic States (IS) in the town of Dumair, northeast of the capital Damascus, pan-Arab al-Mayadeen TV reported on Thursday.

The workers were among 344 others who were taken as hostages in a cement factory in Dumair on Monday afternoon, according to the report. The rest are still captivated inside the private factory.

Earlier reports said a group of rebels, who pledged alliance to the IS, was behind the attack on the factory and a nearby airbase in Dumair.

The Syrian army has repelled the attack on the airbase, but the IS still controls the factory. The town of Dumair is divided between the Islamist groups and the Syrian army.

State news agency SANA also reported the abduction incident, saying the Syrian authority is working on their release.