The Vatican envoy in Damascus comments on the “tragic events” of the past few days with the capture of Aleppo by jihadist rebels: “Fear, restlessness, uncertainty reign.” The cardinal in contact with the Christian community in Aleppo states: “People are locked in their homes, those who could have left. Certainly, the number of internally displaced people will increase.” He appeals to the international community: “Some wars could have been prevented, now we find ourselves picking up the pieces.”
By: Salvatore Cernuzio – Vatican News
Published on:
In Syria, “hope is dead” and people have one desire: “To escape.” Fourteen years of conflict, extreme poverty, international sanctions, earthquakes, and now a new wave of tensions and violence are beginning to weigh heavily on Cardinal Mario Zenari’s heart. As the apostolic nuncio to Damascus for sixteen years, the cardinal looks with concern at the capture of Aleppo on November 30: the second-largest city in Syria is now completely out of the Assad government’s control and in the hands of jihadist rebels. Over 350 dead, already thousands displaced: “A number that will increase,” Zenari emphasizes over the phone from Damascus to the Vatican media. A brief phone call, amidst tight schedules and countless requests, with the phone ringing repeatedly in the background. Syria is facing a new emergency, a new war: “We will see what will happen. There is a suspicious calm now.” Hope, certainly, is no more: “It is dead, dying, in some cases already buried,” says the cardinal. Perhaps the Jubilee can bring “a breath of fresh air,” but the people are exhausted and struggle to see future prospects.
Your Eminence, there is no peace for Syria…
Unfortunately, Syria had not been talked about for about three years, it had disappeared from the media radar. Now it has returned to the spotlight with these tragic events. I am in contact with the Christian communities, the bishops, priests, religious men, and women of Aleppo to see how the situation is evolving. There is a certain calm in some areas, but also suspicious. There is a lot of fear, government offices have disappeared, the army is not visible either, there are these armed groups roaming around who have promised not to harm the civilian population. So far, it seems that they have respected this, but people are still afraid, staying locked in their homes. A couple of days ago, those who could, left quickly in their cars for other parts of Syria. We will see what will happen in the coming days, hopefully not the worst…
Yesterday, the Franciscan Terra Sancta College was bombed. Thankfully no casualties… You mentioned that the assurance given was not to touch civilians, but is the population at risk?
We will see in the coming days. Everything is still very uncertain, there is a lot of restlessness, fear, uncertainty. The bishops have reassured their faithful that they will stay in Aleppo, as well as the priests, religious, staying by the population’s side. It is a very uncertain and difficult time.
Do you fear that the violence could spread and reach other cities from Aleppo?
It is difficult to predict. Just as the capture of Aleppo by armed groups a few days ago was a surprise not only for the people of Aleppo but for all Syrians, it is uncertain what the future holds for this area and Syria in general. We live in this uncertainty. On the other hand, the whole Middle East is burning, and the geopolitical cards have been shuffled.
What does all this mean for the youth? Will it be a new push for emigration?
It is clear. The number of internally displaced people has increased: they have arrived and are still arriving here in Damascus and in other coastal areas. With about 7 million already displaced, the already worrying number of internally displaced people will definitely increase, as will the number of refugees. It should be noted that among the refugees in neighboring countries, there are about 6 million Syrians. Between those outside and those inside, Syria holds a sad record of refugees: about 13 million, more than half of the population. This number will increase, it is inevitable.
Now people have no hope for the country’s future, especially the youth. There is no reconstruction in sight, no economic development, no jobs, so the only desire of the people, especially the youth, is to leave.
Your Eminence, Advent began yesterday, and the universal Church is preparing to celebrate the Jubilee. How will Syrian Christians experience this time?
Unfortunately, here hope is dead, dying, in some cases already buried. We hope that this Jubilee with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” can send a breath of fresh air to these people who have been suffering from war, hunger, and unemployment for 14 years. This is the situation… The only desire of the population, as I said, is to escape. With these recent events in Aleppo, this desire to emigrate has increased.
Is there a message you want to convey to the international community?
To the international community, I would like to say that it is right to help resolve conflicts, but prevention comes first. Certain conflicts that have erupted in the world were foreseeable, something should have been done earlier.
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