Syria: Newspaper reports suggest one kidnapped bishop is still alive

Mar Gregorios

Source: Fides

One of the bishops kidnapped by IS/Daesh in 2013, is reported to be alive, and 'negotiations' are taking place for his release - according to a report in the Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar. The paper quotes Syrian Orthodox priest Fr Samuel Gümüs, who serves the Syrian Orthodox communities in Germany. Fr Samuel is quoted saying that the Orthodox Syrian Metropolitan of Aleppo, Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, is being held prisoner by the jihadist militiamen of the Islamic State/Daesh, who are under siege in the Baghuz area of eastern Syria - the last pocket of territory controlled by the jihadists.

A few days ago, the same newspaper quoted Kurdish sources, claiming that Jesuit Father Paolo Dall'Oglio was also among the hostages being held by IS.

Father Samuel refers to "negotiations currently conducted by the democratic forces of Syria and by the forces of the Allied coalition" in order to also favour the release of Mar Gregorios. The same Lebanese newspaper reports that the veracity of the information widespread is difficult to ascertain, even for the absence of official statements by the military forces operating in the area.

Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim disappeared on April 22, 2013 together with Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo Boulos al-Yazigi (who is not mentioned in the statements attributed to Father Gümüs) in the area between the Syrian metropolis and the border with Turkey. Since then, no group involved in the Syrian conflict has officially claimed the kidnapping of the two Metropolitan Bishops.

In August 2017, in a speech broadcast by Lebanese TV, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, reported that he had asked about the fate of the two Archbishops during a phase of negotiations with some emissaries of Daesh, who, according to Nasrallah, at that time, had denied any useful information regarding their disappearance.

See also: ICN 4 March 2019 - Syria: Hopes grow for safety of missing priest Fr Paolo Dall'Oglio
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