Syrian village is 'liberated' by rebels... who then forced Christians to convert to Islam

  • Syrian rebels including al-Qaeda-linked fighters have gained control of a Christian village north-east of the capital Damascus
  • Government media has provided a different account suggesting regime forces are winning
  • The battle is taking place in Maaloula, a scenic mountain village where people still speak the ancient Middle Eastern language of Aramaic

By Mail Foreign Service

PUBLISHED: 14:27 EST, 8 September 2013 | UPDATED: 01:08 EST, 9 September 2013


Terrified Christians claim Syrian rebels ordered them to convert to Islam on pain of death when they ‘liberated’ their ancient village.

Opposition forces, including fighters linked to Al Qaeda, gained temporary control of the Christian village of Maaloula after fighting with regime forces.

The reports have reignited fears about western support for the rebel groups, which are increasingly being infiltrated by Islamic extremists.

A Syrian military solider fires a heavy machine gun during clashes with rebels in Maaloula

A Syrian military solider fires a heavy machine gun during clashes with rebels in Maaloula

Government media has provided a different account of the battle suggesting regime forces are winning

Government media has provided a different account of the battle suggesting regime forces are winning

A general view of Maaloula, northeast of the capital Damascus. Rebels including al-Qaida-linked fighters are believed to have gained control of the village

A general view of Maaloula, northeast of the capital Damascus. Rebels including al-Qaida-linked fighters are believed to have gained control of the village

Syrian government forces stand guard in Maaloula village, a scenic mountain village where people still speak the ancient Middle Eastern language of Aramaic

Syrian government forces stand guard in Maaloula village, a scenic mountain village where people still speak the ancient Middle Eastern language of Aramaic

One Maaloula resident said the rebels, many of whom had beards and shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is great), attacked Christian homes and churches shortly after moving into the village. 

‘They shot and killed people. I heard gunshots and then I saw three bodies lying in the middle of a street in the old quarters of the village. Where is President Obama to see what has befallen us?’

 

More...

Another Christian resident said: ‘I saw the militants grabbing five villagers and threatening them and saying, “Either you convert to Islam, or you will be beheaded”.’

Another said one church had been torched, and gunmen stormed into two other churches and robbed them.

The beautiful mountain village, 25 miles from Damascus, is one of the few places in the world where residents still use the ancient language of Aramaic, which was spoken by Jesus and his disciples.

Historic: A church in Maaloula which is on a UNESCO list of tentative world heritage sites

Historic: A church in Maaloula which is on a UNESCO list of tentative world heritage sites

 
State-run TV reported that all churches in Maaloula were now safe and the army was chasing gunmen in the western hills

State-run TV reported that all churches in Maaloula were now safe and the army was chasing gunmen in the western hills

It has become a key strategic battleground in the Syrian civil war because of its proximity to the capital. It was held by President Assad’s regime, but taken at the weekend in a rebel advance spearheaded by the hardline Islamist al Nusra Front.

Villagers said they heard several foreign accents among the rebels, with many feared to be Al Qaeda fighters imported into the conflict. A villager said he heard mainly Tunisian, Libyan, Moroccan and Chechen dialects.

In a video posted online, a rebel commander shouted at the camera: ‘We cleansed Maaloula from all the Assad dogs and all his thugs.’ But Syria’s state news agency claimed the rebels had withdrawn and the regime had regained the village, saying: ‘The army inflicted heavy losses in the ranks of the terrorists.’

A Christian woman who spoke to the Associated Press on Thursday also said there were reports that militants threatened villagers with death if they did not convert to Christianity

A Christian woman who spoke to the Associated Press on Thursday also said there were reports that militants threatened villagers with death if they did not convert to Christianity

A church in Maaloula where fighting has been taking place overnight. A poster with the portrait of Syrian President Bashar Assad is seen bottom right

A church in Maaloula where fighting has been taking place overnight. A poster with the portrait of Syrian President Bashar Assad is seen bottom right


Add your comments

Comments (292)

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

 View all

Of course Obama sees what everyone else does, that these rebels are extremists. The strategy in the region apparently is to create chaos and to support these fanatics until they triumph. Once in power their incompetence and extremism are exposed, support is withdrawn and then the work starts, through the media and behind the scenes, on a second wave revolution with the aim to get the real people of choice in charge.

Click to rate     Rating   (0)

Report abuse

It is the right thing to stay out of this war, we do not want to support the rebels, it is like supporting Al Qaeda themselves, I believe the US will vote no, it is the right human thing to do and will not show weakness but strength.

Click to rate     Rating   (0)

Report abuse

Oh what a lovely war.

Click to rate     Rating   (0)

Report abuse

If this is true then perhaps Obama should be informed of this before he drags the west into another middle east war. Are these people really the ones we should be helping ? do you think they would NOT do the same in the UK if there was a civil war here ? Humanitarian aid YES, milkitary aid NO.

Click to rate     Rating   (0)

Report abuse

That's right, folks, support those 'courageous rebels' - including al-Qaeda and Hezbollah. Wasn't one 9-11 one too many? This is total insanity.

Click to rate     Rating   4

Report abuse

No matter how bad these guys are, if the West want to help them, they will have the media painted these rebels as the good guys.

Click to rate     Rating   1

Report abuse

And these are people our government and the US support. Oh the irony. It maybe lost on our leaders but it isn't lost on us. These rebels are terrorists and they pose as much threat the Assad regime- or maybe more as these Christians were allowed to practice their faith under Assad.

Click to rate     Rating   5

Report abuse

Why isn't the BBC covering this? Why are they pushing the agenda of Islamic extremists in Syria? Why does Cameron support this? I fail to see how any decent person could support these so called rebels, many of whom aren't even Syrian. The only senior political figure speaking sense on Syria is Vladimir Putin. Assad may be bad, but the 'rebels' are far worse. The frightening thing is that many of these rebels hold British passports, they will return here as experienced fighters - and killers. Thanks Cameron.

Click to rate     Rating   5

Report abuse

Quick!! Lets go and get involved, but which side should we be on Assad or al-Qaeda???? Best stay at home eh?

Click to rate     Rating   3

Report abuse

So after the massacre of all those innocent people on 9/11 new york and 7/7 London the US and the UK governments want to support al-Qaeda. What total disrespect to the memories and the families of the people that were lost.

Click to rate     Rating   3

Report abuse

Share this comment

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

You have 1000 characters left.
Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.
For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.
Terms