Jul 29, 2013

Assyria: Two Syrian Bishops Kidnapped


The state of Syria’s Christian population remains in danger as two Bishops were kidnapped by armed militants. While meeting with the Syrian Opposition Forces, Assyrians urge the UN to address the violence against Syria’s Christians. 

Below is an article published by aua.net:

In the past two years the people of Syria have suffered greatly, tens of thousands have lost their lives, millions of people have been displaced, and the country has been devastated.

The Indigenous Christian Communities of Syria, with more than 6000 years history, have faced conditions that are considered genocidal. Churches have been destroyed and people have been killed and kidnapped because of their Christian belief. Three months ago two Christian bishops - Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo Boulos Yazigi and Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo Yuhanna Ibrahim -were kidnapped near Aleppo in a violent raid by militants of armed Syrian opposition. The two men were on a noble humanitarian mission in the vicinity of the village of Kafr Dael, located near the Syrian-Turkish border.

The primary responsibility of the Syrian Indigenous Christians is in the hands of the Syrian government, the opposition organizations and the international community. The lives of the two bishops lie in the hands of the Syrian opposition group, who has claimed that this territory lies under its military and civilian control. Therefore, it is of high importance that the Syrian opposition group should pay close attention to this matter.

On Friday, July 26, 2013 the United Nations is hosting an unofficial meeting with high-ranking officials of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces who claim to have influence on the majority of armed rebel groups. The meeting will provide the anti-Assad government forces a forum through which they will demand assistance and ask that foreign governments provide more arms to them. This visit provides us the opportunity to demand from the Coalition leadership to seriously address the issue of the Indigenous Christians and the release of the two kidnaped Christian Metropolitans.

 

July 26, 2013

Assyrian Aid Society of America (AASA)

Assyrian American National Federation (AANF)

Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Council of America (CASCA)

Chaldean Syriac Assyrian Popular Council (ASAPC)

Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA)