Worrying wave of violence against Christian communities in Syria

Christian communities in Syria have been victims, in recent days, of a new and alarming wave of violence, according to denounced The Pontifical Foundation helps the Church in need (ACN).

One of the most serious attacks occurred in the city of Suwayda, where dozens of homes belonging to Christian families were burned, forcing numerous inhabitants to flee.

According to local sources, at least 38 houses were destroyed by fire, leaving their homeless occupants. Some 70 people have sought refuge in a large church hall in Shahba, where they currently survive in extremely precarious conditions.

“This community has lost everything,” said a source at ACN. “They were already part of the poorest in the region, and now they have absolutely nothing left.”

Violence has also extended to the neighboring village of Al-Mazraa, although at the moment the details of the attack are unknown. Although the aggressors have not been identified, it is suspected that the facts are related to sectarian tensions and the activity of extremist groups, aggravated by years of conflict and instability in the country.

On the other hand, ACN sources confirmed that the Greco-Melquita Church of San Miguel, in Al-Sura, was attacked and burned by strangers. The magnitude of the damage has not yet been verified due to the difficult situation in the area, but images spread on social networks confirm the severity of the attack.

In the coastal region of Tartús, the joint intervention of the authorities and the inhabitants of the Al-Kharibat village managed to frustrate an attack against the Maronita Church of Mar Elías.

During the early hours of Sunday, July 13, a suspicious vehicle was discovered parked near the temple. The car contained explosives, weapons and inciting pamphlets. A well coordinated ambush allowed the arrest of those responsible before they managed to execute the attack.

This new outbreak of violence occurs less than a month after the suicidal attack perpetrated against the Orthodox Church of San Elías in the Christian neighborhood of Dweil’a, in Damascus, on June 22, which left a balance of at least 30 dead and 54 wounded during the Sunday liturgy.

Given the seriousness of the facts, it helps the Church in need made all the Christians of the world to pray for the victims, for peace in Syria and for the protection of the most vulnerable communities.

Likewise, the Foundation reaffirms its commitment to continue offering spiritual, psychological and material assistance to those affected, and requests the urgent solidarity of the international community in this critical moment.