Idlib’s Christians have been the target of mounting attacks as Jabhat al-Nusra eyes their cities for its Islamic emirate, killing and expelling minorities to realize its goals.
Idlib’s Christians never thought the battles would lead to the fall of their city. Some of them did not opt to leave during the displacement wave that followed the battles, and woke up to find that armed groups had occupied their city.
A woman told As-Safir, “I saw them on Saturday morning from my veranda. They demolished the cross of our church and then entered the church and smashed the things in it. They kidnapped Father Ibrahim Farah along with a young pharmacist. We had no choice but to light candles and pray to the Virgin Mary as we hugged our children in our homes.”
She confirmed that icons of historical and spiritual importance were taken from the church, and that what happened there hurt the townspeople...