Fierce fighting is spreading to Western Aleppo. Credit: Caritas Syria
Today Aleppo in Syria is one of the battle fronts in Syria’s brutal civil war. Fierce fighting has now spread to the western part of the city.
The suffering on both sides of the front lines has been dramatic.
In recent days, the Suleimanieh neighbourhood has been targeted. It’s an area with a large population, especially of Christians, who are mostly from poor and middle class families. Many of the residents have fled from other areas and now live in rented appartments.
The city’s Maronite cathedral and a Melkite Christian building have been damaged in rocket attacks. A Caritas Syria employee has been killed. In just one night of fighting, 15 people were killed, 60 injured and 120 homes destroyed.
Aleppo’s Catholic and Orthodox bishops called 14 April for a stop to the international arms trade to the Middle East which has caused immeasurable damage and loss of life to civilians in Syria.
“Enough! we are not afraid of martyrdom, but we refuse to let our blood be the price for an unknowable and petty end,” the bishops said.
Arms sales to the Middle East are expected to surge from $12 billion last year to an estimated $18 billion this year.
The home of Safouh Al-Mosleh, killed in a shell attack in Aleppo. Credit: Caritas Syria
Among those making profits from the huge sales are permanent members of the UN Security Council, China, the US, the UK, France and Russia. Diplomatic efforts at the council in the meantime have stalled.
Bishop Antoine Audo SJ is the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo and Caritas Syria President.
What is life like for ordinary people in Aleppo?
Life in Aleppo is very difficult for everyone in the city because of daily insecurity – everyday there are bombs, snipers and explosions.
How concerned should the world be about the immediate future for Aleppo undersiege?
For Christians, it is very troubling. They’re surrounded by Muslim extremists. Occupation by these groups will mean a hunt for the Christians and the theft of their homes and businesses.
What is Caritas able to do in this situation?
Caritas continues with its regular outreach programmes to the poor and vulnerable in the hope that Aleppo will not fall to the extremist Islamist groups [such as ISIS-Islamic State]. If that happens, Christians will be forced to leave Aleppo. Caritas will continue to help people wherever we can reach them.
Caritas Syria staff member Safouh Al-Mosleh was killed in a shell attack on 7 April in Aleppo. How do you remember him?
Churches have been damaged in rocket attacks. Credit: caritas Syria
Safouh was a remarkable man – he was smart and humane. For me, he was a model Syrian and a model Christian. Everyone in Aleppo considered him an honest, good friend. His death has shaken and test all of us at Caritas. Some are scared, some discouraged and some desire to leave Aleppo.
The world has disengaged from seeking a political solution to the Syrian crisis and from funding the humanitarian consequences of the war. What is the impact of this on people?
They are impoverished. They are discouraged. Many have left. It’s a catastrophe. Like Pope Francis has said, it’s the globalisation of indifference.