Maronite Archbishop Antoine Chbair has expressed concern over the ongoing violence in Syria, stating that the future remains uncertain. Recent clashes have resulted in the deaths of over 800 individuals, predominantly civilians, amid escalating sectarian strife. Human rights abuses have escalated, with alarming reports of targeted killings and mass atrocities. Religious leaders call attention to the humanitarian crisis, economic collapse, and the pressing need for accountability and peace.
Maronite Archbishop Antoine Chbair of Latakia and Tartus has expressed grave concerns regarding the ongoing violence in Syria, stating, “No one knows the end” of the conflict. The violence intensified after March 6, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of civilians during confrontations between Syria’s security forces and supporters of former President Bashar Assad, whose regime has been mired in controversy and violent suppression for decades.
Following a brutal civil war lasting 13 years, during which over 600,000 individuals lost their lives, President Assad fled to Moscow in December after his regime faced a formidable rebel offensive. Presently, Syria is plagued by“sectarian strife,” as reported by Archbishop Chbair, amidst renewed conflict in areas like Latakia, predominantly inhabited by Alawite Muslims, while the majority of Syrians are Sunni Muslims.
Human rights groups estimate that at least 800 individuals have died in the latest violence, with apprehensions that the actual figure is even higher. United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk indicated on March 9 that his office received alarming reports about entire families being exterminated, including women and children. He noted, “There are reports of summary executions on a sectarian basis” from various perpetrators, raising serious concerns regarding ongoing atrocities.
More than three-quarters of the deceased were civilians, according to the Beirut office of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA), which also provides humanitarian assistance in the region. CNEWA highlighted reports of approximately 30 “massacres” targeting Alawites in the Tartus and Latakia governorates, further emphasizing the dire humanitarian situation.
The government cited its forces’ response to provocations from remnants of Assad’s military, attributing the violence to “individual actions.” In correspondence with CNEWA, Archbishop Chbair disclosed the tragic loss of around 80 Christians and noted initiatives to shelter vulnerable populations, including the use of churches as refuge for those seeking safety from armed factions.
Sister Fadia Odisho detailed the sheer brutality witnessed, stating that innocents were killed indiscriminately in various settings. She recounted demonstrations for those persecuted that turned deadly, leading to the killings of professionals and a climate of fear where businesses remain closed, further pushing the populace towards despair.
Archbishop Georges Khawam echoed these sentiments regarding the chaos in the streets, where individuals desperately sought safety amidst violent raids. He described the fighters’ actions as “quick and vicious,” emphasizing the absence of governmental control and accountability. “There is no safety” anymore in Syria, the Archbishop lamented, highlighting a nation spiraling towards chaos and disorder.
Additionally, Archbishop Khawam highlighted the economic turmoil faced by residents, revealed by widespread job losses and empty supermarkets. In response to the violence, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa assured that all responsible would be brought to justice, stating, “Syria is a state of law.” On March 10, he signed a ceasefire agreement hoping to mitigate existing hostilities and stabilize a nation in distress.
The ongoing conflict in Syria has escalated into severe violence, resulting in the tragic loss of many civilian lives amidst sectarian tensions. Archbishop Antoine Chbair and other religious leaders highlight the desperate humanitarian crisis faced by Syrian citizens, emphasizing the targeting of specific communities and widespread fears of further violence. Although there are attempts at accountability and ceasefire negotiations, the situation remains precarious, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to restore safety and peace in the region.
Original Source: www.osvnews.com
