Syria: Church pleads for prayers as fresh fighting erupts in Aleppo

Sister Annie Demerjian with displaced girls in Aleppo. File image: ACN

Source: Aid to the Church in Need

Church ministers have called for prayers for peace after fatal clashes erupted in north-west Syria when a volatile ceasefire broke down. At least seven people, mostly civilians, have been killed and several others wounded following clashes between the government and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo yesterday (Tuesday, 6th January).

Sister Annie Demerjian, of the Sisters of Jesus and Mary, told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) today that the "violence will not stop".

She added: "There is no dialogue between the Kurds and the governments which makes them fight together as they do not come to any agreement. We feel sad because the people are so tired after many, many years of war and conflicts and till now, the situation continues which is unacceptable.

"We ask you to pray for the people in Syria, especially the people in Aleppo, those who are experiencing all kinds of fear, those who left their homes, and some who lost dear ones."

According to Reuters, fighting with heavy machine gunfire and drone attacks resumed around two neighbourhoods, Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah.

A fragile ceasefire took effect on 23rd December 2025 after clashes in both areas left civilians dead and wounded.

Father Hugo Alaniz, who has been a missionary in Aleppo for more than a decade, told ACN: "About two days before Christmas, there were clashes between them as well, but they agreed on a truce and we hoped that there would be peace between them. But this afternoon clashes erupted again, and it appears that both sides are planning something bigger, according to the amount of bombing and gunfire we are hearing. There's a lot of army around.

"Sadly, there were also casualties and many injured."

Fr Alaniz, parish priest of Our Lady of the Assumption Melkite Church in Al-Jdeideh, Aleppo's Christian quarter, added: "We are fine, we are still welcoming families and trying to get some food for the next few days. We do not know what will happen but we pray that everything calms down… so we also ask for your prayers."

Civil war erupted in Syria in 2011. What started as protests against President Bashar Al-Assad's government escalated into a complex multi-sided conflict involving government forces, Kurdish fighters and extremist organisations such as Daesh (ISIS).

Fr Alaniz said: "I ask for prayers that both parties may reach an agreement and that peace prevails over the country. We pray for the grace of a strong faith that is courageous in the face of trials and challenges.

"May we be able to imitate the simplicity and trust of the Holy Family, as we may enduring difficulties, that we may not lose our inner peace but embrace the opposite to grow in our Faith by trusting in God's paternal providence and presence. Please know that we entrust ourselves and our families to your prayers as we also to pray for your intentions."

Aid to the Church in Need's project partners paid tribute to the support the charity has given to the country.

Sister Annie said to ACN benefactors: "Thank you because you've always been beside us, God bless you all."

LINK

Aid to the Church in Need: https://acnuk.org