- Created on 17 September 2013
PRESS RELEASE: 150 DAYS ABDUCTED: NO SIGN OF LIFE YET FROM ARCHBISHOPS IN SYRIA!
NO SIGN OF LIFE YET FROM ARCHBISHOPS IN SYRIA!
Click here to download the press release
On Monday 22 April 2013, tomorrow precisely 150 days ago, two prominent Aramean (Syriac) Archbishops from the Syriac and Melkite (Greek) Orthodox Churches were abducted between Kafer Dael and Mansura, in one of the most dangerous areas in Syria known as the frontline between the Free Syria Army and the Syrian Government Army. Their car was intercepted and the driver, Mr Fatha’ Allah Kabboud, was cold-bloodedly shot dead, either during or shortly after the attack.
150 days have passed, and the Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, H.E. Gregorius Hanna Ibrahim, and H.E. Boulos al-Yazigi, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Aleppo and Iskenderun, are still missing. Despite contradictory reports and rumours which have been circulating since their abduction, the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) affirms that there is still no clear information about the identity of the kidnappers, their motivation and demands, their whereabouts or, most importantly, the condition of the two Bishops.
- Created on 06 August 2013
PRESS RELEASE: KIDNAPPED ARCHBISHOPS FROM SYRIA ALLEGEDLY HELD IN TURKEY
KIDNAPPED ARCHBISHOPS FROM SYRIA ALLEGEDLY HELD IN TURKEY
London, 6 August 2013 - Today it has been 106 days since the abduction of the Greek and Syriac Orthodox Archbishops of Aleppo, Msgr. Boulos Yazigi and Msgr. Yuhanon Ibrahim. Rumors about their fate and alleged location in Turkey are still circulating like wild fire. Signs of life and reports about their whereabouts call for an immediate confirmation or denial by Governments.
The World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) denounces the unverified reports which recently have been spread by Turkish TV channels and newspapers, adding to the insecurity and fear that the abduction had already inflicted upon the Aramean (Syriac) people. It was reported that the two Bishops were killed, whereas their kidnappers were arrested and immediately sent back to their countries.
- Created on 31 July 2013
100 DAYS ABDUCTED: NO SIGN OF LIFE YET FROM ARCHBISHOPS IN SYRIA!
100 DAYS ABDUCTED: NO SIGN OF LIFE YET FROM ARCHBISHOPS IN SYRIA!
After 100 days, the Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo, H.E. Gregorius Hanna Ibrahim, and H.E. Boulos al-Yazigi, the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Aleppo and Iskenderun are still missing.
Despite contradicting reports, rumors and vague claims that have been circulating since their abduction, particularly by Turkish media, the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) affirms that there is as yet no clear information about the identity of the kidnappers, their motivation and demands, their whereabouts, the health condition of the Archbishops, and more.
- Created on 28 May 2013
Human Traffickers Exploiting Syria War
THE PLIGHT OF SYRIA’S REFUGEES EXPLOITED BY HUMAN TRAFFICKERS:
A NEGLECTED PHENOMENON OF SYRIAN WAR
A Christian family’s attempt to flee from war-torn Syria resulted in the drowning of their five-year-old child at sea off Turkey’s coast. This is another tragic example of the desperation of Christian families who have found themselves in the unsafe arms of human traffickers, especially from Turkey. The WCA calls for attention to this issue.
Photo: AFP
- Created on 23 April 2013
Two Archbishops kidnapped in Syria
TWO ARCHBISHOPS KIDNAPPED IN SYRIA:
PRELUDE TO MASS EXODUS OF NATIVE CHRISTIANS!
On Monday 22 April 2013, two prominent Aramean (Syriac) Archbishops from the Syriac and Greek Orthodox Churches were abducted near Aleppo in Syria. Their car was intercepted and the driver was cold-bloodedly shot dead, either during or shortly after the attack. Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, and a number of Ministers are actively working on the case.
- Created on 20 November 2012
THE REALITY OF SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN SYRIA
International commentators have long argued that sectarian violence is not yet a reality on the ground in Syria. They pinpoint examples of violence which lack any consistent pattern. Yet the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) has evidence that the sectarian fighting is increasing across Syria and the target of such aggression and bloodshed is increasingly becoming the native Aramean (Syriac) Christians. They include those members of the largest Christian communities from the Syriac Orthodox and Greek (Rum) Orthodox Churches.
- Created on 13 October 2012
What Do Aramean (Syriac) Christians in Syria Really Want?
The Aramean (Syriac) Christian people in Syria are watching the earth crumble beneath them. Their once safe, traditional and peaceful lives are all but a distant memory, as the 19 month battle for power in Syria reigns unprecedented terror on the Christian community. While the Aramean Christians plead their case to world leaders and others of influence, it appears that new so-called “Christian” groups are being formed and trying to hijack the discourse on Christian rights and beliefs in Syria.
- Created on 05 October 2012
Greek Crisis Means Disaster for Syrian Refugees
- Created on 16 December 2011
Breaking News: U.S. House of Representatives Calls upon Turkey to Return Christian Properties
On Tuesday, 13 December 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives sent a powerful message to Turkey by adopting House Resolution 306 with a landslide vote of 43 to 1. This decision calls upon the Government of Turkey to guarantee religious freedom and return stolen properties to its diminishing indigenous Christian populations like the Armenians, Greeks and Arameans (Syriacs).