After Bashar al-Assad fled and al-Qaeda’s wing, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, took control of Damascus, Patriarch John Yazigi’s position was intransigent and rejected the current authority. [Patriarch John Yazigi is one of Bashar al-Assad’s biggest supporters, and there are still contacts between him and members of the Assad regime to this day.]
Then came the violences committed by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham on the Syrian coast, which led to the death and injury of thousands. The bombing of the Church of the Prophet Elias in Damascus, carried out by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which led to the fall of dozens of Christian victims. Then came the Sweida massacre carried out by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which resulted in thousands of victims.
The direct and indirect threats to Christians in several areas in Syria also occurred, as well as the daily killings and violations against Christians, Alawites, and Druze carrying out by members of the General Security affiliated with al-Qaeda. And Hayat Tahrir al-Sham protects its members who commit the most heinous crimes.
Prior to this visit, the Patriarch was subjected to direct pressure and threats, which led to his visit to al-Julani at the People’s Palace in Damascus, where the Patriarch was forced to pledge allegiance to protect Christians.
Returning to the yesterday visit, Al-Sharaa is trying by all means to end his classification on the terrorist list. He is trying to delude the international community that he has removed the cloak of terrorism and become a normal person.
However, what is happening on the ground is completely the opposite, as the killings and violations continues in Syria.
By Fr. Spyridon Tanous
