News / Thoughts

Christian towns attacked…

A largely Christian Syrian town, Mahin, in Homs province, has recently been attacked and taken by Islamic State according to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The town houses a large military complex and an arms depot.

This happened on 31st October and 2nd November. Fighting was also reported in Sadad home to around 15,000 people, most of whom are Syrian Orthodox Christians. The town has 14 Churches and a monastery. The ancient language of Aramaic is still spoken there.

Both towns had already been attacked by IS in late October and early November 2013 and were quickly recaptured by pro-Assad (government) forces. In Sadad 45 Christians were massacred and hundreds of families fled.

Many Syrians have been forced to move several times during the five year conflict. It is estimated that half of the country’s pre-war population have become internally displaced or refugees. Figures estimate that some three million Syrians have become refugees abroad and about 6.5 million Syrians have fled their homes for other locations inside Syria.

Where did this happen?

Pray now…

• For safety for the civilians in Sadad
• For Syrians who are forced to flee their homes to find a safe place to relocate to
• For support for those who return to Syria to find their way to a place of safety
• For wisdom for the world leaders as they consider how to respond to the refugee crisis