Christians in Syria: “What I’m Hearing Is Very Depressing”
“It is not a pretty story”, Ford replied. Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group of jihadists that has captured the state, and their allies “have been parading showing their dominance, flying ISIS and Al-Qaeda flags.”
They have been bullying, intimidating, confiscating and looting. Surrendering Christian as well as Alawite soldiers have been given summary justice: "Roadside executions being the norm."
Christians in their towns and villages are just trying to hunker down and pray. Literally.
“I’m sorry to say the senior Christian clerics, with one or two noble exceptions, have opted for appeasement and effectively betrayed their communities. The senior leadership at the Orthodox Church, in particular Greek Catholic church, have had themselves photographed with dignitaries of the jihadi regime.”
They are turning the other cheek. It’s quite a contrast with the Alawite. According to Ford, the Alawite “have no choice”.
Ford: “You may remember that the slogan of the jihadi armies during the conflict was, ‘Christians to Beirut, Alawite to the grave’.”
“HTS is going through the motions of having meetings with clerics and making soothing noises. All the while their henchmen are driving around in trucks flying ISIS flags. What I’m hearing is very depressing.”
“The regime is leaving the Alawites totally abandoned. You barely read a word in the west in media [of the regime] about the plight of the Alawite and not much more about the Christians.”
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