Aid to the Church in Need, an international Catholic pastoral aid organization, issued an urgent appeal for prayer as violence returned to Aleppo, one of Syria’s historic centers of Christianity.
The group warned that Christian communities and other civilians are again caught in renewed fighting between government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
“In moments like these, when fear and uncertainty return to the daily lives of so many families, prayer becomes a powerful act of solidarity,” said Regina Lynch, executive president of Aid to the Church in Need.
Clashes resumed on Jan. 6 after a brief truce, according to local sources in contact with ACN. Fighting that began in late December has already resulted in several deaths, including Christians, the sources said.
“I ask our benefactors and all people of goodwill to pray for the people of Aleppo, especially for the Christian communities who are once again suffering the consequences of violence. May God touch the hearts of those responsible, so that dialogue and peace may prevail,” said Lynch.
The renewed violence forced the cancellation of all Christmas and Epiphany celebrations in the city. The escalation coincided with Christmas for Armenian Orthodox faithful and Epiphany for other Christian communities, but residents were too afraid to leave their homes.
Local Church institutions opened their buildings to families displaced by the fighting, while authorities opened two passages to allow civilians to leave affected areas. Church sources warned the situation could worsen once those routes are closed.
In a message to ACN, Maronite Archbishop Joseph Tobji said conditions had again become critical, adding that people are “starting to disperse from many areas of Aleppo.”
Fr. Fadi Najjar, an ACN project partner in Aleppo, said civilians were caught in crossfire as government forces bombed Kurdish areas and Kurdish fighters responded with strikes on residential neighborhoods, leaving rockets falling across the city.
“Of course, the civilians are always the weakest link, and those who suffer most,” he added. “Many people have left their homes, and many have died.”
The priest appealed for continued prayers and solidarity, saying the uncertainty on the ground has deepened fear among residents and urging the international community to speak out for peace so the fighting can end immediately.
The Syrian Democratic Forces have controlled much of northeast Syria since the civil war began in 2011 and played a key role in defeating the Islamic State group with international backing.
The government in Damascus has sought to reassert control over the entire country, with tensions between the two sides simmering for months before erupting into renewed fighting over parts of Aleppo, Syria’s second most important city.
