(Zaman Al Wasl)- A massive influx by Syrian Christian families of the ancient town of Sadad, southeast Homs city, into government-held areas as ISIS make more gains after taking back the nearby town of Maheen days ago, local reporter said.
Sadad, which is home to several ancient churches and relics, is now in the crosshairs of ISIS. While 12,000 women and children of the Syrian Christian town have already fled, the men have stayed behind to fight the jihadists, the World Tribune and Christian Post reported.
"Around 60 percent of the 12,000 residents, particularly the women and children, have fled to other Christian villages in the province, like Fayruza and Yazdal," the Tribune quotes Sadad Mayor Suleiman Khalil's statement. "The men are staying behind to defend the town."
Three weeks ago, Syrian regime forces took Maheen, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) northwest of Sadad. A such victory that not last more than few week to turn into a new setback for regime allies led by Russia for being unable to defeat ISIS despite more that 3000 air strikes in 11 weeks.
This is not the first time that Sadad has come under attack. In October 2013, the Syrian regime and rebel forces fought to take over the Christian town, but the former successfully protected it. But now, danger looms once again for Sadad as ISIS marches closer, according to AFP.
ISIS is on a mission to destroy buildings and monuments that go against its strict implementation of Islam and it has already blown up Christian churches, Muslim graves, and holy temples. It has also abducted hundreds of civilians in the Homs province.
In an attempt to prevent the terrorist group from taking over Sadad, a Syrian Christian militia group called Sotoro has sent 250 fighters to help the Christian town repel the extremists. Syrian soldiers are reportedly on standby outside Sadad, and Russian troops are also stationed between the Christian town and Maheen.
Syria's war started with a pro-democracy movement that grew into an armed uprising and has inflamed regional confrontations. About 300,000 people have died in the conflict, according to United Nations estimates. (With Christian Post)
Sadad, which is home to several ancient churches and relics, is now in the crosshairs of ISIS. While 12,000 women and children of the Syrian Christian town have already fled, the men have stayed behind to fight the jihadists, the World Tribune and Christian Post reported.
"Around 60 percent of the 12,000 residents, particularly the women and children, have fled to other Christian villages in the province, like Fayruza and Yazdal," the Tribune quotes Sadad Mayor Suleiman Khalil's statement. "The men are staying behind to defend the town."
Three weeks ago, Syrian regime forces took Maheen, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) northwest of Sadad. A such victory that not last more than few week to turn into a new setback for regime allies led by Russia for being unable to defeat ISIS despite more that 3000 air strikes in 11 weeks.
This is not the first time that Sadad has come under attack. In October 2013, the Syrian regime and rebel forces fought to take over the Christian town, but the former successfully protected it. But now, danger looms once again for Sadad as ISIS marches closer, according to AFP.
ISIS is on a mission to destroy buildings and monuments that go against its strict implementation of Islam and it has already blown up Christian churches, Muslim graves, and holy temples. It has also abducted hundreds of civilians in the Homs province.
In an attempt to prevent the terrorist group from taking over Sadad, a Syrian Christian militia group called Sotoro has sent 250 fighters to help the Christian town repel the extremists. Syrian soldiers are reportedly on standby outside Sadad, and Russian troops are also stationed between the Christian town and Maheen.
Syria's war started with a pro-democracy movement that grew into an armed uprising and has inflamed regional confrontations. About 300,000 people have died in the conflict, according to United Nations estimates. (With Christian Post)
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