Largest massacre of Christians in Syrian conflict
November 04, 2013
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Rebel forces massacred 45 Christians in the west-central Syrian town of Sadad, according to Syrian Orthodox Archbishop Selwanos Boutros Alnemeh.
Islamist rebels entered the town on October 21; a week later, it was captured by government forces.
“What happened in Sadad is the most serious and biggest massacre of Christians in Syria in the past two years and a half,” said the prelate, according to the Fides news service. “45 innocent civilians were martyred for no reason, and among them several women and children, many thrown into mass graves. Other civilians were threatened and terrorized. 30 were wounded and 10 are still missing.”
“Some were killed and some were threatened by the bullet, by strangulation, execution and with the destruction of their houses,” the prelate added, according to a report by OCP Media News, an Orthodox news agency.
The prelate, according to Fides, continued:
The churches are damaged and desecrated, deprived of old books and precious furniture. Schools, government buildings, municipal buildings have been destroyed, along with the post office, the hospital and the clinic.
What happened in Sadad is the largest massacre of Christians in Syria and the second in the Middle East, after the one in the Church of Our Lady of Salvation in Iraq, in 2010.
We have shouted aid to the world, but no one has listened to us. Where is the Christian conscience? Where is human consciousness? Where are my brothers? I think of all those who are suffering today in mourning and discomfort: We ask everyone to pray for us.
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Further information:
- Devastating Images & Report from the Christian Town of Sadad in Syria – Exclusive (OCP Media News)
- Syriac Orthodox Archbishop Alnemeh: "In Sadad, the largest massacre of Christians in Syria" (Fides)
- Syrian rebels attack Christian suburb, historic town (CWN, 10/23)
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Posted by: Defender -
Nov. 04, 2013 10:46 AM ET USA
This isn't the first time this has occurred in Syria nor, it seems, will it be the last as long as these Islamic extremists are sponsored by the US, NATO and Saudi Arabia. Where, pray tell, is the UN in all this? Or is it the wrong minority group that isn't at the top of the hit parade? The Church does seem to also show its reticence at this continuing example of ethnic cleansing (it's expected with this administration though).
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Nov. 04, 2013 8:05 AM ET USA
And the most pressing question of all: Where is the voice of our pope? Why do we not hear him speak in tones like those he used to deplore the recent tragedy at Lampedusa? And, then, where too are all the expressions of concern from our president? Something tells me that the answer to these questions may have more to do with the religion of the murderers than with that of the victims. Thanks to its appalling viciousness, Islam is fast becoming the religion "beyond reproach" in many quarters.
