“Syrian Christians for Peace” Praises Rebel Stance in Hama Suburbs

March 24, 2017

After Free Syrian Army groups reached the outskirts of the majority-Christian town of Maharda, these units made a patriotic gesture to avoid the societal fissures that the Syrian regime is intent on sowing between various groups of Syrian society. They released a declaration clarifying their stance toward Maharda and reassuring residents that, out of respect for residents and to ensure their safety, revolutionary fighters would not be entering the town. The groups further affirmed that Maharda was not a target for their campaign despite what the Assad gang and its supporters claim, thereby closing the door to any divisions that the regime might seek to create in the town.

Syrian Christians for Peace stresses the need for caution regarding any and all attempts by the Assad gang to place Christian residents of Maharda or neighboring towns in harm’s way, and then to blame revolutionary fighters for the results. We note that a pamphlet by the group “SOS Chrétiens d’Orient” has already sought to enflame general Western suspicions that the Free Army will harm Maharda residents by fully ignoring the guarantees made by FSA field commanders to safeguard the townsmen.

This would not be the first time that the Assad gang, as part of its systematic efforts to cause demographic change in Syria, has used media propaganda against the revolutionaries and stoked false fears of mass displacement of Syrian Christians. Such propaganda has recently and notably targeted Christian areas in Damascus, Homs, Hassake, and many other areas of Syria through various means. We warn that continuing this behavior could soon lead to the displacement of the majority of Syrian Christians in a short time, with foreigners taking over their land.

We affirm that the only way to stand up to these destructive efforts against Syria and her people is to restore trust and rebuild national bridges between all Syrians, as was evident in the Free Army’s initiative toward Maharda’s residents. We call upon everyone to support such patriotic efforts that will stanch the blood of Syrians and open a path toward a state based on citizenship, which is the only way for Syrians to achieve stability and security.

Board of Directors :

United States – Dr. George Jabboure Netto; Mirna Barq; George Stifo; Bassel Korkor (Esq.); Razaq-Allah Shakour; Bahnan Yamin; Ayman Abdel-Nour.

France – Dr. Samira Mubayed

England – Dr. Wael al-Aji

Germany – Dr. Marwan Khoury

Canada – Louay Bashour

Turkey – Fuad Eliya