SYRIA: Ethnic cleansing in a predominantly Christian town
A rights advocacy group has reported that the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant faction has issued threats to Christians, demanding they vacate the southwestern Syrian town of Maaloula. This ultimatum has sparked condemnation, with the situation being characterized as an act of ethnic cleansing.
The Iraqi Christian Foundation announced on X on Sunday that Syrian Christians in the historic town of Maaloula are facing threats from Al-Qaeda and ISIS militants who have established control over the region.
The rights organization has issued a statement highlighting what they describe as ethnic cleansing in a historic Christian town in Syria, known for its continued use of the Aramaic language. The organization is calling for prayers and support for the Christian community in the region.
The Iraqi Christian Foundation is dedicated to promoting the human, legal, and political rights of Iraqi Christians, as well as other Christian communities throughout the West Asia region.
The organization is also involved in delivering humanitarian assistance to victims of genocide among the Christian communities in Iraq and Syria.
Prominent human rights activists have previously raised alarms regarding the restricted access to the Internet and communication channels, highlighting concerns about a potential massacre in Maaloula. This Syrian town, notable for being the last where Aramaic, the language historically spoken by Jesus Christ, is still in use, faces growing fears amidst the ongoing conflict.
The administration of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group responsible for the offensive that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his regime earlier this month, has consistently pledged to uphold the beliefs and rights of all sects and religions within Syria.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in the cities of Latakia, Tartus, Homs, Hama, and Qardaha to express their outrage over the desecration of an Alawite shrine in Aleppo by militants. The protests, which took place last week, were met with a violent response from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters, resulting in deadly clashes.
The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group is one of several militant factions that have been actively involved in the Syrian conflict over the past twelve years, resulting in widespread destruction and significant loss of life among the population.
Since March 2011, Syria has been engulfed in an ongoing conflict characterized by militant activities and widespread destruction, reportedly supported by the United States and its allies.
