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Christians in Syria are criticizing Western media outlets for ignoring atrocities carried out by Takfiri terrorist groups against their community. A new report by the news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies highlights the massacre of 45 Christians in the village of Sadad near Damascus. The killing has been the biggest massacre of Christians in the Syrian conflict which began two-and-a-half years ago. The report blames the foreign-backed Takfiri militants for the massacre while criticizing the U-S government and its mainstream media for remaining silent. Christians say they are fleeing their homes as the persecution is worsening in insurgent-held territories in the north. They say kidnapping, rape and executions of Christians are being carried out by Takfiri militants and those affiliated with the Western-backed Free Syrian Army.

Christians in Syria are criticizing Western media outlets for ignoring atrocities carried out by Takfiri terrorist groups against their community. A new report by the news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies highlights the massacre of 45 Christians in the village of Sadad near Damascus. The killing has been the biggest massacre of Christians in the Syrian conflict which began two-and-a-half years ago. The report blames the foreign-backed Takfiri militants for the massacre while criticizing the U-S government and its mainstream media for remaining silent. Christians say they are fleeing their homes as the persecution is worsening in insurgent-held territories in the north. They say kidnapping, rape and executions of Christians are being carried out by Takfiri militants and those affiliated with the Western-backed Free Syrian Army.

[13 Mar 2014] Syria insurgents behind kidnapping of Alawite women & kids last year - English

[26 Feb 2015] ISIL terrorists abducts 220 Assyrian Christians in Syria - English

New revelations show that the chief Saudi spy, Prince Bandar bin Sultan is pushing ahead a campaign of persecution against Christians in Syria. Although the world is yet to react to this, it seems that Saudi rulers will soon have something new on their hands to worry about. This could be of particular significance, given that Riyadh will have to bear the brunt of any consequences for Prince bin Sultan\'s adventurism.

Foreign-backed insurgents in Syria are increasingly using kidnapping as a means to fund their activities in the northern city of Aleppo. Militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have been named as the main culprits in insurgent-controlled areas. A London-based opposition group says that 80-percent of kidnappings target activists and journalists. Only this week, two Swedish journalists were abducted by insurgents. The missing are a combination of foreign and Syrian journalists. 30 journalists are currently being held and 52 have been killed in the country since early 2011.

The UN human rights office says a soaring number of executions in northern Syria could amount to war crimes. In a statement released on Thursday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has warned militants and armed opposition groups that such executions violate international humanitarian law. Pillay said her office has received reports of a series of mass executions of civilians and soldiers in Aleppo, Idlib and Raqqah by militants, especially by al-Qaeda affiliates, fighting the Syrian government. Pillay says exact numbers are hard to verify, but many civilians and soldiers in the custody of militants have been executed since the beginning of this year.

The UN human rights office says a soaring number of executions in northern Syria could amount to war crimes. In a statement released on Thursday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has warned militants and armed opposition groups that such executions violate international humanitarian law. Pillay said her office has received reports of a series of mass executions of civilians and soldiers in Aleppo, Idlib and Raqqah by militants, especially by al-Qaeda affiliates, fighting the Syrian government. Pillay says exact numbers are hard to verify, but many civilians and soldiers in the custody of militants have been executed since the beginning of this year.

Press TV has conducted an interview with Mark Glenn, political commentator, about foreign-backed militants in Syria kidnapping 12 nuns from a convent in the Christian town of Ma\'loula.

[08 Aug 2012] Kidnapping Iranian pilgrims crime against humanity - English Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has called on the United Nations to act immediately to secure the release of the Iranian nationals abducted in Syria and Libya. "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran calls for the immediate release of its abducted nationals and is of the view that using the hostages as human shields violates... international law and (the) human rights of these innocent civilians," Salehi said in a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday. "I would like to seek the cooperation and the good offices of Your Excellency for securing the release of these hostages," he added. A UN spokesman confirmed that the letter had been received but did not offer an immediate response. On August 4, 48 Iranians, who were traveling on a bus from Damascus International Airport to the shrine of Hazrat Zainab (AS) on the outskirts of the Syrian capital, were abducted by insurgents. Three of the abductees have reportedly been killed. Insurgents from the self-proclaimed Free Syrian Army have threatened to kill the other abductees. Press TV has conducted an interview with Mohsen Saleh, professor at the Lebanese University, to further discuss the issue.

More startling images find their way out of Syria ... these two Syrians are about to face the fate of many others being beheaded at the hands of Anusra front - an al-Qaeda branch in Syria that proudly posts similar executions almost on weekly basis. Last week alone, thy posted three executions -- one for a Syria army sergeant in Hasaka , another for a man and two women in Aleppo and the third in Idlib.

In an exclusive interview with Press TV, former Lebanese prime minister Michel Aoun, who is also the leader of Lebanon\'s Free Patriotic Movement, said that foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists pose a great threat to all the religious communities living in Syria and the region.

[6 June 2017] US-led coalition’s warplanes target civilians as they flee Daesh terrorists in Syria - English

[23 Feb 2015] “ISIL terrorists rape group of Izadi women in Iraq’s Anbar province - English

[25 June 2014] Iraqi civilians flee for safety to Kurdish areas as ISIL attacks Christian village - English

[23 Feb 2015] Nearly 15,000 flee ISIL horror in Libya - English

As the violence continues against Rohingiya Muslims in Myanmar, they are left with no option but to flee their war ragged country fearing for their lives. Several thousands have made their way to India and are living in many Indian states including the capital Delhi, but their voices and their miseries are unheard.

While the Christmas celebrations are on the peak around the world, the event in Syria this year is a grim one. For Christians, here, the Christmas is simply a reminder of displacement and loss of family members in the attacks carried out by foreign backed militants. A huge mass was held in the Mariamite Cathedral in Damascus and attended by Patriarch of Antioch and All the East and The Mufti of Syria. Prayers called for peace for the country and the souls of those who sacrificed their lives for protecting the homeland. Prayers also called for the return of those who have been abducted by Takfiri militants. Foreign-backed militants operating inside Syria recently took over the ancient Christian town of Maloula in Damascus countryside. A large number of residents were displaced. Al Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front terrorists also stormed the Orthodox Mar Takla convent in the middle of the city and abducted several nuns. The Maloula incident is not the isolated one. The militants have sabotaged many churches across the country in recent months. And, mortars fired by them continue to claim the lives of both Christians and Muslims including women and children. Christians in Syria celebrated the Christmas amid calls to boost the security of their war-torn country. Syrian Christians believe that their country will only be stronger with their presence and steadfastness. And despite their sufferings, they still try to live a normal life, hoping stability would be restored.

[13 Oct 2014] ISIL terrorists admit capturing & rape of Izadi Kurds - English

[23 Feb 2015] Takfiri militants “abduct” al least 90 Christians in northeast Syria - English

[30 May 2014] Kashmiris observe shutdown in remembrance of rape victims - English

[15 Feb 2015] Egypt follows fate of 21 Christians kidnapped by ISIL in Libya - English

[16 Feb 2015] Hezbollah chief condemns ISIL execution of Egyptian Christians - English

Israeli forces have stormed a Palestinian home to arrest a 4-year-old child in Jerusalem al-Quds. Muhammad al-Majid\'s father says Israeli forces woke up his little son in the middle of the night. He says, however, that they backed down from carrying out the arrest after seeing the child. Months ago, a two-and a half-year-old boy was about to be arrested in a similar attempt. Human rights organizations are warning that Palestinian children are routinely tortured and habitually threatened with rape by their Israeli captors. According to the independent organization of Defense for Children International, 179 Palestinian minors have been imprisoned and prosecuted in Israeli military courts, since September 30.

A newly-emerged letter on social media has revealed that Saudi Arabia agreed to the plan to send many criminals for fighting in Syria back in 20-12. The letter was apparently issued by the Arab monarchy\'s Interior Ministry in March last year. It says the accused were from different nationalities. They would receive amnesty if they agreed to being trained and sent to Syria for fighting the government of President Bashar al-Assad. The letter also shows that most of the criminals were convicted of drug-related offences, murder, and rape, and had to be beheaded by sword under Saudi law. Syria\'s envoy to the U-N had earlier revealed that SAUDI criminals were among the militants fighting against Damascus. Bashar al-Ja\'fari said the Saudi intelligence was aware of the presence of such criminals in Syria.

France has warned that the Central African Republic is on the verge of genocide. This comes as the U-N is considering sending African and French forces to intervene in the strife-torn country. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has described the situation in France\'s former colony as total disorder. The Central Africa Republic has faced growing chaos since a coalition of rebels staged a coup in March, forcing president Francois Bozize to flee. Last year, France invaded Mali under the pretext of stopping what it called al-Qaeda-linked militants in the country. The invasion has caused a serious humanitarian crisis in the country, displacing thousands of people.

[31 July 2012] Myanmar Rohingya Muslims flee to India recount ordeal - English The harsh treatment of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar has made them flee their country. A number of Rohingya Muslims have come to India fleeing the anti Muslim sentiments in Myanmar. They have settled at different places. Shahana Butt, Press TV, New Delhi

The UN refugee agency has issued a report saying 140,000 Iraqis have been forced to flee the fighting between the Iraqi army and al-Qaeda-linked militants in Anbar province. Press TV\'s Serena Shim is in Baghdad and has sent us this report.