Greek Orthodox Church Attacked in Syria.Guess attackers' religion?

[duluxe]

nidentified assailants on Wednesday attacked the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Hama in Western Syria as unrest continues to grip the nation.


Gunmen shot the walls of the church and tried to demolish the building’s cross. The Greek Herald reported local police were searching for the perpetrators.


“The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Hama confirms that a shooting incident took place. What happened has been immediately followed up by the Hama Police Command, and the perpetrators are being tracked down,” local police said in a statement.


Unconfirmed reports from Greco-Levantines World Wide also claimed that a nearby cemetery was desecrated in the attack, with crosses being “vandalized and removed.”


The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) condemned the church violence and alleged that, while the perpetrators are unknown, the Ansar al-Tawhid, “a jihadist group,” is responsible for many attacks on properties and people.


“SNHR strongly condemns [the] attack that targeted Hama’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and its subsidiaries,” the group stated. “We must stress that the targeting of places of worship and religious symbols is a blatant violation of international human rights law … [and] United Nations General Assembly resolution 75/258.”


Minorities in Syria, including Christians, have felt cautiously hopeful since Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in early December and allegedly fled to Russia. For many, Assad was a harsh dictator who was a dangerous threat to Christians in Syria.


Rebels known as Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group, have largely taken over the nation, and HTS’ leader, Ahmed al-Shara, has promised to be more accommodating to minorities. Many doubt, however, if a more harmonious future will become a reality once Shara’s power is consolidated, as there have been reports of HTS members detaining individuals who disagreed with them.


As Syria’s political future hangs in the balance, its citizens, especially Christians, remain hopeful yet vigilant.