Rakka Islamists placed their flag instead of cross on Armenian Church

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: The Armenian-style Church in the Syrian city of Rakka, located near the border with Turkey, was robbed. This was reported to Armenpress by our compatriot living in Damascus Nazareth Elmajyan, stating that besides Armenians the Arab Christians as well prayed in that Church. According to Elmajyan, on September 26 Islamists, connected with Al-Qaida terrorist organization, removed the cross of the Church and placed the black flag of their organization in the place of the cross. The Church suffered material damages.

Armenpress was informed by the Facebook page of the Syrian Armenians, that the robbed church was the St.Martyrs Armenian Catholic Church, located 160 kilometers from Aleppo. Besides, at night the Rakka people tried to restore the cross in its place.

Many historical and cultural monuments have been destroyed. The Armenian Catholic Prelacy of Damascus has been recently bombed and the Armenian colleges suffered considerable damages.

By the UN data, during the two-year bloodshed in Syria since March 15 2011 more than 100 thousands of people have fallen victims. Currently 4,5 million refugees live in Syria and 1,5 million – in the neighboring countries. Several tens of Armenians have been killed in the result of the collisions. Notwithstanding that difficult situation, many Syrian Armenians continue leaving in Syria. The governmental forces try to liberate Aleppo from the opposition. Every day heated collisions and bombings are taking place, causing sufferings of the peaceful population, the Armenians as well.