Armenian Catholic Patriarchate prays for end to Turkish attacks in Syria

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Source: Fides

The Armenian Catholic Patriarchate has called for prayers during Advent, for peace and the end of suffering and danger to the population of northeastern Syria. The region has long been the target of shelling and military raids carried out by the Turkish armed forces against Kurdish targets.

The cities of Hassaké and Qamishli and people in the Syrian provinces of Aleppo, Raqqa, Deir ez Zor and Hassakè particularly are suffering aerial bombardments, drone and artillery attacks carried out at the instigation of the Turkish government.

The Armenian Catholic Patriarchate says the attacks affect the infrastructure and block the supply of water and electricity, causing pain and suffering. The Patriarchate implores in prayer that the Lord help peace to return to those lands and populations tormented by endless situations of conflict.

The Turkish military incursions are justified with the aim of attacking Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria, an area de facto under the control of the Damascus government and subject to the so-called Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria, led by the Syrian Democratic Forces, (Syrian Democratic Forces-SDF), an alliance of Kurdish-led forces and militias formed during the years of the Syrian conflict. Syrian army soldiers and civilians in the area have also been victims of the military escalation.

Recently an attack on a gas plant in Hassaké, caused a colossal fire, killing and injuring workers, while Turkish shelling in the Deir ez Zor area also alerted US military posts there. After a drone bombardment of the El-Hol camp, dozens of jihadist detainees linked to the Islamic State (Daesh) managed to escape. According to several analysts, the Turkish military offensive in all Syrian areas along the border could pave the way for a ground invasion.