ASIA/SYRIA - Bombing in Damascus, the Franciscan monastery attacked in the area of Bab Touma

Friday, 6 February 2015

Damascus (Agenzia Fides) - Yesterday the central areas and suburbs of Damascus were hit by intense firing rockets and mortar shells, both from areas under rebel control and from the artillery of the government army. The attack provoked dozens of deaths, at least ten and thirty peopled were wounded in the central area of the Syrian capital. Among the buildings affected there is also a Franciscan monastery attached to the Latin Catholic parish dedicated to the Conversion of St. Paul, in the area of Bab Touma, the old part of Damascus, where many Christian churches are concentrated.
"From the first hours of the day - refers to Agenzia Fides, Fr. Raimondo Girgis, OFM - the exchange of rockets and mortar shells were heard. At about 7.30 a shot coming from the rebels hit and devastated the ceiling of the room where Fr. Simon Pietro Herro (current Minister of the Region of St. Paul of the Custody of the Holy Land, ed) sleeps. In that moment - highlights the Syrian pastor - we were in the parish office, downstairs, and Fr. Simone was going to his room to recite the morning prayer". The mortar shell did not cause damage to the church. "It was a heavy day - said Fr. Raimondo - but in nearly four years of conflict, we have experienced such moments many times. Fear and tension are part of everyday life".
"The escalation of indiscriminate attacks recorded in Aleppo and Damascus in recent days - writes the Jesuit Refugee Service in a statement sent to Agenzia Fides - has intentionally targeted civilian areas in which many IDPs live side by side with the residents. Not only attacks have created panic and fear, causing damage to infrastructure and loss of life, but also contribute to fuel tensions among groups" and "hinder humanitarian assistance, forcing NGOs to evacuate their staff and to suspend or stop activities". (GV) (Agenzia Fides 06/02/2015)


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