Syria: Christians among civilians used as human shields

About 800 civilians are trapped in Homs, local churches have told Fides. Many of them are now being used as human shields. Orthodox priest Fr Boutros Al Zein, said that about 400 Christian civilians, mostly elderly and women, have been kidnapped and put in the streets of Al Bustan Diwan and Hamidiyyeh. He said the civilians were collected by a faction of the rebel army and directed towards the border of these two streets, becoming human shields to prevent the attack of regular Syrian forces.

Two other Orthodox Christian priests, Fr Maximos Al Jamal and Fr Boutros Al Jamal, have tried to negotiate to free the hostages, but the initiative failed.

Now the Syrian army has established an exit lane and officially said that civilians are allowed to leave the city without preconditions.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said he had "ordered the governor of Homs to provide an exit for all citizens from areas of conflict."

Local Church leaders call on all armed groups " not to use innocent civilians, to facilitate their evacuation, to respect their lives and their freedom."

Source: Fides