Open Doors: Pray for Syria

A new wave of violence has spread over Syria, mainly targeting the Alawite minority.

Key points:

According to Open Doors, Christians in the region are living in fear, with church services cancelled and many more considering leaving the country.

Over a thousand people, mainly civilians, have been killed this month, in the coastal area of Syria.

According to a UK-based monitor, 830 civilians were killed in “massacres” mainly targeting Alawites (a branch of Shia Islam) on the west coast on Friday and Saturday.

Over a thousand people, mainly civilians, have been killed this month, in the coastal area of Syria.

In cities like Latakia and Tartous, many shops and restaurants are closed, with one Christian from the area telling Open Doors that she is afraid that a period of revenge and terror might start.

Unfortunately, this violence is reminding traumatized Syrians of the horrifying events of the 2014 ISIS uprising.

“All Christians I know, now want to leave the country,” a local told Open Doors workers.

Statement of Patriarchs

The three patriarchs of the biggest churches in Syria have written a joint statement on the violence.

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“In recent days, Syria has witnessed a dangerous escalation of violence, brutality, and killings, resulting in attacks on innocent civilians, including women and children.

“Homes have been violated, their sanctity disregarded, and properties looted — scenes that starkly reflect the immense suffering endured by the Syrian people,” they wrote.

“The Christian Churches while strongly condemning any act that threatens civil peace, denounce and condemn the massacres targeting innocent civilians, and call for an immediate end to these horrific acts, which stand in stark opposition to all human and moral values.”

The three patriarchs of the biggest churches in Syria have written a joint statement on the violence.

The church leaders asked for “creation of conditions conducive to achieving national reconciliation among the Syrian people.”

They ask for a “state that respects all its citizens” based on “equal citizenship and genuine partnership, free from the logic of vengeance and exclusion.”

They also stress that they stand for “the unity of Syrian territory and reject any attempts to divide it.”

The statement is signed by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X, Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox church and Patriarch Youssef Absi of the Melkite Greek Catholic church.

‘Extremely disturbing’

Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said Sunday in a press release “the killing of civilians in coastal areas in northwest Syria must cease, immediately.”

In his statement he says “Following a series of coordinated attacks reportedly launched by elements of the former government and other local armed men, we are receiving extremely disturbing reports of entire families, including women, children and hors de combat fighters, being killed.

Open Doors is calling for prayer for the situation in Syria.

“There are reports of summary executions on a sectarian basis by unidentified perpetrators, by members of the caretaker authorities’ security forces, as well as by elements associated with the former government.”

He calls for “prompt, transparent and impartial investigations into all the killings and other violations, and those responsible must be held to account, in line with international law norms and standards. Groups terrorising civilians must also be held accountable.”

A call to prayer

Open Doors is calling for prayer for the situation in Syria.

“Please pray that the recent violence won’t be the starting point of another civil war in the country that has suffered so much in the past fourteen years,” said an Open Doors representative.

“Pray that justice will be done and pray that the killing of innocent people will stop.

“Pray also for the protection of our brothers and sisters in Syria.

“Pray that this won’t lead to another exodus of Christians from Syria.”

Visit opendoors.org.au for more information.

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