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Syria: Two Christian villages attacked by jihadists


Roman bridge in Marhada

Roman bridge in Marhada

At least two civilians were killed and another twenty injured by grenades on Monday, December 21 by anti-regime jihadist fighters against the villages of Maharda and Sqelbyia, in the province of Hama.

The two towns, which are currently controlled by the government army, are inhabited by Orthodox Christians. According to reports from local sources to Kurdish Ara News Agency, the bombings hit residential neighbourhoods spreading panic among the local population, that was preparing for Christmas.

Maharda was the native village of Greek Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV of Antioch, who died in December 2012 at the age of 92. It is also the home town of Ghada Shouaa, the first Syrian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal.

Both villages have been under siege by armed Islamist groups for more than a year and a half.

Source: Fides

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