Turkey

Murder of Syrian politician highlights risk for minorities
- Church in the Middle East
- Oct 15, 2019
When Hevrin Khalaf, a young Syrian politician and advocate on behalf of women and religious and ethnic minorities in Kurdistan, was murdered by a Turkish-backed fringe group on Saturday amid Turkey’s new offensive in Syria, her death sparked outcry from around the world.
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Syriac Catholic patriarch pleads for peace in northeastern Syria
- Catholic News Service, Church in the Middle East
- Oct 14, 2019
The patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church pleaded for “immediate and lasting peace in northeastern Syria and the preservation of innocent lives, especially for Christians, who are the original and founding component of Syria.”
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Pope calls for peace in ‘beloved and martyred’ Syria after Turkish incursion
- Vatican
- Oct 13, 2019
Pope Francis on Sunday appealed for the international community to work for peace in Syria, noting that Christian families are in the areas currently under attack by Turkish forces.
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Advocates to Trump: Don’t desert Christians, Yazidis, Kurds in Syria
- Catholic News Service, Church in the Middle East
- Oct 11, 2019
Christians concerned with religious freedom violations resulting from the Turkish military offensive on northeastern Syria are urging U.S. President Donald Trump to “reconsider and reverse” his Oct. 6 decision to move American troops out of the way of a Turkish incursion.
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Turkish planes bomb Syria, causing panic among Christians, others
- Catholic News Service, Church in the Middle East
- Oct 9, 2019
Turkish warplanes have begun attacking northeastern Syria, causing widespread panic among Christian and other religious communities caught up in the aerial bombardments.
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Christians in northeast Syria appeal for prayer for safety
- Catholic News Service, Church in the Middle East
- Aug 17, 2019
Groups representing Christians in northeast Syria are appealing for prayer, fearful that Turkey plans to make good its numerous threats to invade the region with its military forces.
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