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12 Nuns Held Hostage As Jihadists Invade Ancient Christian Town In Syria for Second Time (Video)
Twelve nuns are trapped in an ancient Christian village in Syria, the government has claimed, as Bashar al-Assad and members of his inner circle were implicated in war crimes for the first time.
Syrian army tanks were positioned around Maaloula as the fighting sent smoke wafting over the village nestled in hills about 40 miles northeast of the capital, Damascus.
Forces loyal to President Assad are trying to keep rebels led by the Al Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusra, or Nusra Front, from advancing. Opposition fighters have taken control of several parts of the village since blowing up a checkpoint at its entrance on Friday, according to reports by the state news agency and opposition activists.
The 1st battle in September saw many combatants dead on both sides as well as desecrated churches, burned out churches and christian homes and several christians were executed just because they were christian. Who knows what this fighting willbring. I’m not sure of the strategic signifigance of Maaloula but it’scertainly an important town for Syrian Christians and a symbol of what the SAA is fighting for supposedly. Diversity, tolerance. -Mort
