Catholic World News

Islamic forces target Christians in Syria

March 21, 2012

Islamic extremists are engaged in “ethnic cleansing” of Christians in the Syrian city of Homs, local sources tell the Fides news service.

Militants with links to Al Qaida have reportedly driven 90% of the Christians out of the city, going door-to-door to inform families that they must leave immediately.

Archbishop Giuseppe Nazzaro, the apostolic nuncio in Syria, says that he cannot confirm the reports from Homs, but can report that Christians are facing increasing pressure in other parts of the country. The acts of violence against Christian targets, he says, are “bad signs for religious minorities.”

With the Syrian regime facing heavy pressure from rebel forces, Archbishop Nazzaro says, “In this situation Islamist and terrorist movements are making headway.”

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