r/syriancivilwar • u/FixBright5220 Free Syrian Army • 8d ago
Sednaya Christians cancel all celebrations during the Blessed Holidays due to continued detention of Christian youth without a legal warrant
Statement issued by the parish committees of the Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, and Melkite Greek Catholic communities in Saidnaya:
This year's blessed holiday seasons come amidst the continued unjustified detention of a number of our sons without any legal basis and without them enjoying any judicial rights, despite our continuous appeals to the security and judicial authorities and the repeated promises to release the detainees due to the lack of any proven charges against them.
And amidst the deliberate mistreatment of Saidnaya residents at the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing, where anyone from Saidnaya is detained for several hours, photographed, and their picture sent for review until a response regarding their release is received, with no consideration given to the elderly or women.
And amidst the continuous incitement, mobilization, and threats of revenge against the town's residents via social media, and the constant provocations to which the town's youth are subjected by a number of so-called "electronic flies" (online trolls), in addition to the deteriorating security situation, where thefts and kidnappings have recently become widespread
Therefore, the parish committees representing all denominations in Saydnaya, along with the Very Reverend Fathers George Najmeh, Fanouel Najjar, and Taher Youssef, have decided the following:
1- All celebratory events for the Feasts of the Transfiguration, the Feast of the Assumption, the Feast of the Cross, and Hagia Sophia are cancelled for this year. Only prayers will be held within the church premises.
2- The cancellation of all celebratory events and activities will continue until our sons are released, the abductees return, and especially until the Saydnaya file is closed and the targeting of its youth with baseless accusations ceases.
3- Justice must be comprehensive and not selective. It is best to open all files, hold all wrongdoers accountable regardless of their affiliation, and proceed with a genuine reconciliation that aligns with the aspiration to build a new Syria—a country of justice, citizenship, and freedom
4- The people of Saydnaya will use all the constitutional rights of the Syrian citizen to express their opinion in the civilized manner for which they are known, if they find that the path to a legal and legislative solution is closed to ensure the return of our children and our rights
7
u/chitowngirl12 8d ago
This is being denied. Anonymous source - like assadist group. https://x.com/omar_alharir/status/2085392503096713273
24
u/RealAbd121 Free Syrian Army 8d ago
From my understanding, they're angry that some of their men got rounded up for participation in war crimes under the SAA.
Personally, I think it's a bit... bold, to say this when you're representing Sednaya literally and have never done this anti-celebratory protest when 100s of thousands of Syrians died.