DAMASCUS, Syria — The targeting of Christians in war-torn Syria is increasing, according to Open Doors sources. “The car bomb in Jaramana was targeting the Christian and Druze community as a group, since the area has no political ties or buildings,” a local Christian source explained about the large bomb blast in the Damascus suburb Nov. 5. According to contacts in the neighborhood, 11 Christians and one Muslim were killed in the explosion. The blast left 69 people, all Christians, wounded. Twenty are in critical condition. “The attack took place during the final day of Eid al-Adha (Muslim holiday),” said Open Doors’ country coordinator for Syria. “Observers hoped the four-day holiday would mark a temporary ceasefire, but that hope proved to be false. I see this as another example that Christians are increasingly targeted.”
A believer from Damascus reports that recently a car bomb was found in a Christian neighborhood in the old part of the city. The car was parked next to two churches, a Maronite church and a Latin church. The two churches were warned and church officials instructed all their parishioners to go home in case the bomb exploded. Authorities were successful in disabling the bomb.
“The violent situation deeply hurts the entire Syrian population, the Christian community as well as other people groups,” said Open Doors country coordinator for Syria. “But about two or three weeks ago we observed an increase of violence that specifically is targeting Christians or Christian neighborhoods. Bombs now are placed in Christian areas where there is no strategic or military target at all. We are deeply concerned about our brothers and sisters and call all churches and all Christians to continue praying for this dangerous situation for Christians.”
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