Syria: another Christian village invaded by jihadists imposing Islamic law

Sednaya - ancient church vandalised

The Christian village of Kanayé, Orontes River, in the Governorate of Idlib, has been invaded by Islamist militants that are terrorizing the population, threatening a massacre and imposing Islamic law.

Mgr Giuseppe Nazzaro, vicar emeritus of Aleppo, received the news from Christians in Aleppo. In recent weeks armed guerrillas have penetrate into several Christian villages; they terrorize civilians, commit kidnappings, kill and sow destruction. "In Kanayé Salafi militants and the jihadists of 'Jabhat al-Nousra' have told the pastor not to ring bells. Women are forced to wear veils. If they do not obey these orders, they are threatened with a massacre", Mgr Nazzaro said.

"We are facing what they have already done in the nearby village of Ghassanieh. There they warned residents to leave the village immediately, or be killed. The Christians fled. In Kanayé, they have not forced the population to leave but, they are being forced to live according to Islamic law".

Mgr Nazzaro said: "this could be the first step. Tomorrow they will force them to convert to Islam".

Recently Fr George Louis, Greek-Catholic parish priest of the village of Qara, which was devastated and burned, said: "Maalula, Sednaya, Sadad, Qara and Deir Atieh, Nebek - armed jihadists target a village, they invade it, kill people, burn and devastate it. For civilians, Christian or non-Christians, life is always more difficult. The foreign militia are not controlled by Free Syrian Army, who respect everyone, and they do not want to raze the entire country".

Source: Fides