Posted on 09/08/2013 7:43:29 AM PDT by tobyhill
An al Qaeda-linked rebel group has wrested control of the historic Christian town of Maaloula from regime forces, opposition groups said Sunday.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the hardline Islamist rebels of the al-Nusra Front seized control Saturday night.
Videos posted on YouTube in recent days showed fighting between rebels and government forces in the tiny sleepy town, an hour's drive from the capital Damascus.
"We cleansed Maaloula from all the Assad dogs and all his thugs," a rebel commander shouts at the camera in a video posted online over the weekend.
What the capture will mean for the Christian residents waits to be seen.
As the 18-month-long Syrian conflict festers, the government and the opposition welcome and need Christian support.
But some Christians fear radical Islamists have been swelling rebel ranks.
They also fear the same fate as a number of Christians during the war in Iraq, where militants targeted them and spurred many to leave the country.
Christians make up roughly 10% of the population. Syria is ruled by a government dominated by Alawites, whose faith is an offshoot of Shiism. The regime is opposed by an opposition with a large Sunni presence.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
No doubt John McShame and Mr. Husband of Thereza Heinz approve.
How many Christians will be beheaded and Churches burned because of Obammy?? What a cluster fudge our government is.
This administration has the blood of Christian myrtyrs on its hands. Obama and his whole administration is leading us down the road to hell...
Freegards
LEX
The place seems like pretty much of a cramp hole to me, all things considered...
This administration has the blood of Christian myrtyrs on its hands. Obama and his whole administration is leading us down the road to hell...
Freegards
LEX
I've seen images of Assad visiting the orphanage in Maaloula. Christian orphanage/Assad..I am sure the orphans are being hacked to death, much like those in Al-Duvair on May 29th when the US supported Rebels killed the entire population of Al-Duvair in Homs Province..
It’s going to be brutal for them
“What the capture will mean for the Christian residents waits to be seen”
Of course they’ll be treated with civility like all the “people of the book” (dhimmis) were treated in Islamic lands (/sarcasm).
Arm yourselves Christians...Arm yourselves...
“Christians make up roughly 10% of the population.” - Which will rapidly be driven to 0% of the population once the Islamists are fully in charge.
I guess this piece of news makes Hussein Obama very happy. But what if the Assad troops try to recapture the town? Air bombardment urgently needed not to let it happen.
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