During 2013 and part of 2014, an ISIL unit nicknamed the Beatles acquired and held 12 Western journalists hostage, along with aid workers and other foreign hostages, totalling 23 or 24 known hostages.
Sepanjang tahun 2013 dan 2014, sebuah satuan NIIS bernama the Beatles menculik dan menyandera 12 wartawan Barat beserta pekerja sosial dan sandera asing lainnya.