Syrians suspicious of US motives, says Syrian bishop

September 19, 2016

Bishop George Abu Khazen of Aleppo reports that residents of the Syrian city are extremely skeptical of American intentions, particularly after a US air strike reportedly killed 90 Syrian government soldiers on September 17, despite a declared truce.

Bishop Khazen told the Fides news service that "no one here believes" that the US bombing was a mistake. He said that the event, which occurred even as US leaders called for an extension of the truce (which has now broken down), "seems to confirm the ambiguity of the US choices in the Syrian scenario." Many Syrians, he added, are convinced that American support for Syrian rebels led to the creation of the Islamic State, and American policy-makers are now exploiting the Islamic militants.

On a happier note, Bishop Khazen said that despite the fears that the truce would fail, Christians in Aleppo filled his church for a Mass of thanksgiving for the canonization of Mother Teresa. "As pastors," he said, "we are comforted by the sight of so many Christians who live the tremendous moment we are going through in faith."

 

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Further information:

• Bishop of Aleppo: "No one here believes that the US massacre of Syrian soldiers was a 'mistake' " (Fides)