Joint Statement by Syrian Patriarchs on Coastal Cities’ Violence
In a unified call for peace, the Patriarchs of Syria issued a joint statement condemning the recent surge of violence in the Syrian coastal region, urging swift action to foster conditions for national reconciliation.
The statement was released by John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Greek Orthodox; Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Syriac Orthodox and Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church; and Joseph Absi, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East for the Melkite Greek Catholics.
The joint statement highlighted the escalating crisis, stating: “Syria has witnessed a dangerous rise in acts of violence, brutality, and killing in recent days, resulting in attacks on innocent civilians, including women and children, as well as assaults on homes, violations of their sanctity, and looting of properties—scenes that reflect the depth of suffering endured by the Syrian people.”
The statement continued:
“The Christian churches strongly condemn any act that undermines civil peace, denouncing and rejecting the massacres targeting innocent citizens. They affirm the urgent need to put an end to these horrific acts, which contradict all human and moral values.”
The Patriarchs called for “immediate steps to create the conditions necessary for achieving national reconciliation among the Syrian people and to establish an environment conducive to transitioning into a state that respects all its citizens, founded on equal citizenship and genuine partnership, far removed from the logic of revenge and exclusion.”
Additionally, the Patriarchs emphasized their commitment to “the unity of Syrian territories, rejecting any attempts to divide them.”
They appealed to “all relevant parties within Syria to shoulder their responsibilities in halting the cycle of violence and to work toward peaceful solutions that preserve human dignity and safeguard the unity of the nation.”
The Syrian coastal region, predominantly home to the Alawite community, has been gripped by deadly clashes since last Wednesday, claiming dozens of lives. Syrian security forces reported engaging in skirmishes with armed groups loyal to former officer Suhail Hassan, a prominent military commander during Bashar al-Assad’s rule, among others. The head of the General Security Directorate confirmed casualties among security forces during attacks by remnants of the former regime in Jableh and its countryside.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Saturday that “the number of civilian deaths in the coastal region’s violence has exceeded 745, including women and children.”
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