According to Halo Trust since early December, coinciding with the fall of Assad, at least 144 people have been killed, including 27 children. Last year, at least 212 civilians lost their lives to explosive remnants of war, including 28 women and 63 children. Land clearance work critical to a true rebirth of the country.
The fall of the regime in Damascus has also led to a backlash against the Orthodox patriarchate heir to one of the most important seats of ancient Christianity by a mysterious movement sympathetic to the new Islamist regime which - amid accusations of collaborationism and old scores - is calling for the resignation of Ioann X. In the background are relations with Moscow with which this Church remains linked, though without having broken with Constantinople.
The demobilisation of Moscow's army from all its positions in the country is now an obvious fact. According to many sources, part of the personnel and equipment could be transferred from Syria to Africa, first of all to Libya, to the territory under the control of General Khalifa Haftar. It is more unlikely that the troops returning to Russia will significantly affect the conflict in Uctaina.
The testimony to AsiaNews of Fr. Karakach, who speaks of a ‘very special’ celebration amid ‘reassurances’ from the new authorities and ‘massive security presence’. Compared to the past, there was no sign of celebrations on national TV. In some cities, ‘unpleasant’ episodes such as the burning of a Christmas tree, set up again with the help of Muslims. The Jubilee Year a source of courage.
The provincial of the Franciscans custodians of the Holy Sites speaks with AsiaNews about the festivities once again without pilgrims, whose return is ‘linked to the end of the conflict’. The focus is on events in neighbouring Syria, amid ‘suspended’ or ‘moderately positive’ judgements. The Custody ‘increasingly international’ with ‘about sixty’ countries present. The ‘debt’ of Western Christians with their brothers in the Holy Land.
In Damascus, threatening words against the Christian minority are spotted in a car. In Hama, someone using a Kalashnikov fired at the Greek Orthodox archbishopric. In a Christian village, a couple was killed during a "burglary" that ended with the man being beheaded. Source tells AsiaNews that Greek Orthodox are targeted because they are considered close to the Russians. Trappist nuns of A'zer note that in their area there is respect, but warn that releasing common criminals has created problems. Bishop Mourad: Beware of news on social media.
