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The Snake Creeps As The West Sleeps – A Warning
(Voice of the Persecuted) Written by a Christian brother who has been directly affected by persecution in Syria. He has suffered the greatest loss anyone can experience, his family. The persecution of his family was a turning point in his life. He realized he needed to tell the truth of what’s happening in Syria and the need to warn and wake the West.
While the extremism and persecution is being directed against Christians in the Middle East, which is a crime against civilization as well as humanity, the effect of this campaign of violence and intimidation has been devastating for Christianity in Syria. Syria boasted a flourishing Christian population of at least 3 million. Today, the small number of Christians left is astounding. Most of these Syrian Christians have fled the country, but a staggering number have been killed.
All should see and realize what happened not only to the Christians in Syria but to the civilization.
Radical Islamism and the terrorism that has come to be associated with it, has peaked in the Middle East and especially in Syria. Violent radical Islamism is no longer, if it ever was, limited to the likes of al Qaeda (or ISIS), but rather like-minded networks of autonomous Islamist radical terror cells who aid one another in pursuit of common goals now crisscross the globe and the next journey is to the West.
The blood lust of Islamism is thus rooted in a perverted religious impulse to kill and mutilate in the name of Allah. This is what makes it so insidious and wicked. The killing of innocent men, women, and children in the name of Islam becomes a thing of praise and a badge of honor. The more you kill, the more Allah is honored.
But the world is lulled to sleep while the enemy gathers its strength for an all out offensive against the civilian populations. It has attacked Syria now, but the tumor will spread. All that seems benign in the West shall at one time turn cancerous and will be difficult to control.
Islamic fundamentalists plan on putting together an Islamic Empire composed of Turkey, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Nigeria, the former Muslim Soviet states such as Uzbekistan, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Their plan is on schedule and they are taking over country after country while the West sleeps securely with its naive dreams of endless peace and prosperity of a ‘new world order’. Each day’s headlines demonstrates the timeliness of this important analysis of the emerging transnational radical Islamic movement… and the growing danger that the Islamic extremist elements may seek to exploit the present vulnerability with devastating results.
I did not expect that the extremism would reach Syria in the dreadful way it has, but having swept over massively to kill every living creature—you can expect your door to be knocked at soon.
God bless you, brother. You’re always in our prayers.
SYRIA – Archbishop Hindo ” McCain’s disturbing words on anti-Assad rebels armed by the CIA”
(Agenzia Fides) – “US Senator John McCain protested saying that the Russians are not bombing the positions of the Islamic State, but rather the anti-Assad rebels trained by the CIA. I find these words are disturbing. They represent a blatant admission that behind the war against Assad there is also the CIA”. This is what Syrian Archbishop Jacques Behnan Hindo says to Agenzia Fides with regards to recent developments in the Syrian conflict, marked by the direct intervention of Russian military forces against the positions of the jihadi militias.
“Western propaganda”, said Archbishop Hindo “keeps talking about moderate rebels, who do not exist”. According to Syrian Catholic Archbishop, “there is something very disturbing about all this: there is a superpower that since September 11 protests because the Russians hit the militias of al-Qaeda in Syria. What does it mean? Al-Qaeda is now a US ally, just because in Syria it has a different name? But do they really despise our intelligence and our memory?”
In the interview with Fides, Archbishop Hindo repeats that “the Syrians will decide if and when Assad has to go away, and not the Daesh or the West. And it is certain that if Assad goes away now, Syria will become like Libya”. Syrian Archbishop launches a warning: “We have received terrible news from the city of Deir al Zor, which has been besieged by Daesh for a long time. There is no more food in town, and the population is literally starving. We need to do something immediately, before it is too late”. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 02/10/2015)
All Civilians Subject To Persecution-What Is Driving The Uncontrolled Violence In The CAR?
Children of Car, all they know is war
It is reported that today, John Kerry is in Africa with ‘tough messages, for Sudan and the CAR to curtail the violence in both area’s. And that he was prepared to instill sanctions. That’s his answer to the violence. (More)
Violence in the CAR continues as evidenced by the recent attack on a Hospital in Boguila resulting in the deaths of 16 people. One of those killed was a Doctor with the aid group Doctors Without Borders.
Since the takeover of the government there, and the coup against Bozize, the Seleka have continued their murderous rampage, with the government unable to control them. They were driven from area’s in the CAR and the new president vow’s that the ‘New Army’ will rid the area of violence. But so far, this has not happened. Chadian forces were brought into the mix, but left after they fired on a group and killed Christians. The Chadian forces were accused of partiality toward the Muslims.
CAR rebel factions
The Anti-Balaka have been touted by the media as a Christian group seeking revenge for Seleka atrocities. We have done extensive research on this group. They are far from Christian. It is claimed the group was formed as vigilantes to aid in protecting Christians being attacked by the formwe self proclaimed President Michel Djotodia. Who has trained and supplying this group that the government now cannot control. We have one video report from a news agency that clearly show’s that many of the Anti-Balaka are ex-military. The Seleka and Anti-Balaka have many members from both groups fighting together.
We have also raised questions about the Lord’s Resistance Army, as many of the practices of the Anti-Balaka are very similar to the LRA. The international community has been tracking the LRA for years, with reports that they are still in the CAR. Recently it was released that a Junior Commander from the Lord’s Resistance Army was captured and arrested in the CAR. They may have moved underground, but they are still operating in these areas. We know there is a fight for control of oil rich lands there also. Who or what is pushing this ethnic cleansing in the land ? Even Christian news agencies are simply reporting that the Ant-Balaka are a Christian group seeking revenge.
This is an evil presence that is quickly becoming an equal to Hitler’s ideology in WW2. The ravaged populace is seeking refuge in churches and hospitals, and the rebels are attacking aid workers and places of refuge. This seems not a conventional war. If it were, the Geneva Convention would come into play. Doctor’s Without Borders is one of the only aid agencies left and now they are being forced to pull out. Fides agency reports this quote from Doctors Without Borders:
“We are extremely shocked and saddened by the brutal violence used against our health workers team and against the community. This scary incident has forced us to withdraw staff and suspend activities in Boguila” said the Head of Mission for DWB in the Central African Republic.
The attacks on aid workers is a growing concern. Not only agencies like Doctors Without Borders, but private workers trying to administer whatever aid they can. A motive of these rebels— to attack first responders. We see over and over with the suicide bombings. They are not planting explosives in multiple areas. One to go off on their target, and one to go off when the first responders arrive. This is pure evil and cowardice. There is no honor as they claim. Honor in killing for their god, but no god would give honor for those who kill the helpless, wounded, and innocent.
What is his future? Be his VOICE
This is also rampant from Sudan to Nigeria. The super highway of terror connecting the regions of Africa. In Egypt, the recent rape of a young, six year old boy by a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood. He claims that he was teaching the boy a lesson. The child was singing about the new leader of Egypt. General Sisi. Again, how do they find honor in such an atrocity committed against an innocent child, the most vulnerable. A command for rape and torture to teach a child, or anyone a lesson does not come from God.
In Nigeria they are holding at last count 230 school girls hostage. The Boko Haram kidnapped them, force them to convert to Islam, forced into marriage while they use them as sex and domestic slaves. This is their M.O. Again, how does one find honor in this? No one after the initial shock has reported further on the recent Abuja Bombing, where is the media? This was no ordinary suicide bombing, stronger, and deadlier and more sophisticated than previous attacks. Why? Where are they obtaining their weapons? Why won’t the media continue to investigate and report? It has also been suggested that the military is helping and giving aid to the Boko Haram. Where is the UN Human Rights Council? The religious leaders have repeatedly stated that this is a political war and not a religious war. A persecuted Christian has pleaded with us to get the media more involved, to inform the international community of the truth. From our discussion, one of his questions keeps resounding in our minds—So we have no way out?
Peaceful Angels – The story of Syrian Christians who suffer the ultimate price
The Christian village of Al Duwair is located northwest of Homs, on the Eastern Bank of the Orontes River in Syria. In May of last year, this peaceful village was savagely attacked by Islamic radical groups—including (Haqq brigade, Sunni Lions brigade , Jabhat Al Nusra, Free Liberation Army — Al Farroq brigade). See more
Recently, we have been in touch with a Christian brother who has been directly affected by persecution in Syria. He has suffered the greatest loss anyone can experience, his family. Below he shares of the fateful days that have changed his life forever. VOP is asking for you to please keep our dear brother, Kamil in your prayers. And pray for the much needed peace in Syria. Lord have mercy on them.
In many cases we see tremendous acts of courage, bravery and fortitude in people being able to cope with terrible situations. Sadly true as long as there has been a true war, but what has happened is a barbaric action which is probably unavoidable even by brave people.
I am not going to delve into the whole scene there which is becoming common and clearly known for everyone, but I need to shed the light on some of the horrifying facts which happened on 28 May 13 in my Village ( Duwair).
On that date, my village was sentenced to death and destruction by the militants who ruined every part of village and massacred the peaceful residents savagely.
They did not come for freedom, they were not liberators or cause defenders, they were monsters in the true sense of the word, bigots injected with contempt and poisonous sectarianism. With all bitterness the victims were my family, my father and sister,” the peaceful angels” as I would call them. ”Every time, I phoned them to Syria, they replied, we are Ok and nothing to fear, do not worry about us, no one would harm us, we are peaceful people”. They were the scapegoat of the killers who massacred them with cold blood then burnt them with full disgrace. Was the small village rolled into the vortex of destruction for political reason? Absolutely No, It was attacked primarily for the sole reason of being neutral and peaceful without hiding the fact that most of the locals are Christians.
Words are insufficient to describe the extent to which my father was united with his land and home. He did not agree to leave his home despite the ongoing violence, fully convinced that the current turbulence is soon to end. He did not know that extremism would reach his home to blacken the white and make the black darker.
Undoubtedly, my father was a patriotic man ,I got to remember all his talks when he was telling me that I have to return back home to continue my life in Syria and to care for our house who built tirelessly over the years and to water the olive trees whose leaves speak volumes about the hard work and determination. His story with the land is silent, comprehensive friendship, an intercourse beyond the need of words. Through the keen morning air, keeping time to the pulsing of the heart that is moved with the same eager desire—to conquer space, to devour the distance, to attain the goal of the journey. He entered with open eyes and brave heart the final stadium of the journey as he was always telling me: When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero.. He was peaceful as a dove, stronger than a stone, passionate than a mother.
Near the strong will father ,She scented the danger; it was not in her heart to fly from it—only to be prepared for it, and to meet it wisely, as a good daughter should do. The evil was close and silent as the tomb; not a leaf rustled, not a bird sang, Abeer disregarded every breath of anxiety and dismay and stood firmly with her father to say the final word .The words are endless to talk about the tender heart sister who became a mother after the death of my mother in 2009; her only concern was to take care of my father and looking after us even when we are away from home.; their only mistake was just sitting home peacefully?
Criminals came to extinguish the two beams of the sun, but let me assure you that their souls are still glittering like a rainbow in the sky and will not fade and die, for this reason, I would not say goodbye . God Bless their souls ever.
The unwritten rule of grief; Is it your turn to leave?
Aunt was killed by a terrorist explosion by the rebels in Homs Syria as on 6 March 14 .
Some people can’t speak about it, where does it go? The body remembers everything. Excessive amounts of time and energy are spent trying to remember conversations once had, create the statements that were never voiced, or imagine reactions never received. These are heavy bricks to carry for endless days, months, or even years.
Did anyone hear the song of death? I hear it every day in Syria; I hear it sang by my beloveds, the death ghost is chasing them everywhere, saints are followed by demons. Resting in heaven peacefully easing my mind but with conflicting thoughts that often leave much pain in a heart filled with agonies following their martyrdom. She missed them; she missed her brother and her niece and was her time to leave. She left quickly without a goodbye; she left with no remembered sigh. It can be more challenging to remember so-pleasant memories of the time you had with your family and relatives who passed away but the clock ticking hours and days to receive the shocking waves. Today my aunt passed away and May God rest her soul in heaven to light the way.
Most Death incidents help us mourn the loss of a loved one, how to cope with yearning, how to adapt to the emptiness following the death of someone so significant in your life that the mere thought of living without them feels incredibly overwhelming and incapacitating.
.I realized I saw her face today
.In the sparkle of the morning sun
,And then I heard the angel say
“Her work on earth is done”
I thought that she had left us
For the stars so far above
,And then I heard the angel say
“She left you with her love”
I thought that I would miss her
And never find my way.
And then I heard the angel say,
“She’s resting with your father and sister away”
May God Rest her soul in peace.
Reports of Horrific Torture Of Children In Syria
Recruitment and use of children by FSA affiliated groups
There have been very disturbing images and reports coming out of Syria the last few days. The UN is said to be turning a report over to the UN Security Council soon. This report details horrific abuses such as beatings with cables, cigarette burns, electric shocks including to the genitals, the tearing out of fingernails and toenails, rape, mock executions and sleep depravation. The world went on a rampage about the same unspeakable horrors in the Iraq war when the torture was revealed. In Syria’s case, the world remains nearly silent. Only recently have these reports hit the Main Stream Media, with any impact. And I fear many ignore the inhumane treatment, even of the most vulnerable—the children.
The NY Times reported that children as young as 11 years old were held in government detention centers along side the adults, and these children were tortured in order to coerce relatives into surrender or confession. They report that Syrian Intelligence services took part in this, with those suspected of involvement with the rebels. Reports claim more than 10,000 children have been subjected.
This appalling, heart stopping, gruesome behavior is beyond unacceptable and should raise the hackles of everyone in the world, not just those the West. Throughout this three-year long civil war, we have been witness to both sides of the fence and the hair raising murders, beheadings, torture and rape. The forces driving this conflict is nothing less than vile, immoral and wicked.
The stories are few and far between, with evidence surfacing for crimes against both sides. The rebel fighters are coming from all over the middle east, with terrorist groups like Al-Nusra, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) all with connections to Al-queda.
The government denies the claims. They accuse the rebels, it’s a vicious cycle. The report by the NY times says that investigators were able to cite instances of abuse and executions of children. They are quoted as saying : “It received two reports from Hasakah Province, in northeast Syria: a 16-year-old boy fatally shot last April by the Nusra Front, which is aligned with Al Qaeda, and a 14-year-old boy killed by a Kurdish group.” There are reports that rebels have been recruiting child soldiers since the beginning, complete with videos and images, yet they deny the accusations. The US say’s that they vet all recipients of aid and they say the supported rebels are committed to uphold international standards for human rights. Yet videos like this one, are surfacing daily.
According to reports, Assad has missed the deadline for destroying chemical weapons, and Iran has gained power in recent day’s. With an analytical view, a few questions must be answered. Why now? Why not when reports started surfacing, why have they waited so long to put an end to the suffering of the innocent? Is this being exploited to garner support for an attack? Why has the UN Security council, and other agencies remained virtually silent on this? What demands are the rebels making other than Assad’s removal? What is it that they want?
We are seeing a growing terrorism threat and a regional spillover from the conflict in Syria. Expectations are low since recent failed talks in Geneva. The Obama administration’s view of the conflict seems to be changing. Statements from CIA Director John Brennan and National Intelligence Director James Clapper this past week before the U.S. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, address some of the issues recently under review.
“Syria presents a number of challenges to U.S. national security interests in terms of the potential spillover of the fighting inside of Syria to neighboring countries, but also, and increasingly so, concerns on the terrorism front,” Brennan told lawmakers.
“We are concerned about the use of Syrian territory by the al-Qaida organization to recruit individuals and develop the capability to be able not just to carry out attacks inside of Syria, but also to use Syria as a launching pad,” he said.
Clapper said the biggest threat stems from “the 7,500 or so foreign fighters from some 50 countries who have gravitated to Syria. Among them are a small group of Af-Pak al-Qaida veterans who have aspirations for external attack, in Europe if not the homeland.”
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on Friday said Westerners heading to fight in Syria’s civil war could pose a threat to the United States and that undocumented immigrants deserve a path to citizenship, issuing his first policy address since taking office in December. He also said, “U.S. law-enforcement and intelligence officials know individuals from North America and Europe are heading to war-torn Syria, adding that “they will encounter radical, extremist influences” and possibly return to their home countries with the intent to do harm.
Even John Kerry said in a discussion in Munich that Washington’s attention was shifting. “Particularly now, we are focusing in on Syria where there are increasing numbers of extremists,” he said. “I think we need to be more assertive about what we are doing.”
Washington faces difficult choices on Syria.
Adding to the plight of civilians, including children affected by the war is the reports of people being held hostage in Homs. A priest sent out a dire plea for help in a video claiming he was fearful of cannibalism. It is said that forces loyal to Assad have blockaded rebel-held parts of Homs for over a year, causing widespread hunger and suffering, which he described has drove some mad with a mental sickness. An evacuation has been taking place, though aid workers at times had to retreat as they were being shot at. More than 600 people have been evacuated from Homs on Sunday.
Through gunfire and exploding mortar shells, hundreds of women, children and elderly men ran toward a group of Red Crescent workers waiting less than a mile (kilometer) away, said an activist. The Syrian activists say the gunfire came from a government-held neighborhood. The Syrian news agency SANA also reported that civilians came under fire, but blamed “terrorists,” the government term for rebels. A mother claimed there was no food or water for her starving children. “Our life is a disaster. There was nothing, my children are all sick. They were thirsty.”
Despite the violence, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, said in a statement that the truce showed “that even in the darkest of nights it is possible to offer a glimmer of hope to people in desperate need of assistance.”
The Homs cease-fire was arranged by U.N. mediator Lakhdar Brahimi, who urged the warring sides to aid the estimated 2,500 civilians trapped in the ancient, rebel-held quarters known as Old Homs.
Children are precious in God’s eyes, pray for the innocent people of Syria, pray for the truth to be brought to light, pray for the protection and safety of these children, pray for the leaders to make the right decisions and put an end to this. What will it take?
Syrian Troops Retake Christian Town – U.N. Arab League Envoy Heads to Damascus
DAMASCUS, Syria – Syria’s state media say government forces have retaken a Christian town north of Damascus after a week of clashes with al Qaeda-linked fighters who had recently captured key parts of it.
The state-run SANA news agency says the army “restored security and stability” to the town of Sadad early on Monday.
The town had been in opposition hands since last week, when al Qaeda-linked groups captured a checkpoint that gave them control of the western part of the town.
The fighting came as the U.N.-Arab League envoy headed to Syria for his first trip to the country in almost a year. Lakhdar Brahimi had arrived in Beirut earlier on Monday and left for Damascus.
Brahimi is trying to prepare a peace conference on Syria supposed to take place in Geneva next month. Source
Russian Minister Slams Threats to Syria Peace Talk Attendees
(RIA Novosti) – Threats of violence by Syrian opposition groups against participants of an upcoming peace conference on Syria are “outrageous and unacceptable,” Russia’s top diplomat said Monday.
“And the fault, in the grand scheme of things, lies with those who fund and arm these opposition groups,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.
Lavrov said the situation demanded “the prompt intervention of those with influence over the opposition.”
Nineteen armed Islamist groups in Syria said in a joint statement Saturday that participating in the Geneva 2 talks aimed at ending the Syrian civil war would be “treason” and attendees “would have to answer for it before our courts.”
The UN-backed conference, tentatively set for November 23, has been lobbied for by Russia and the United States, which took responsibility for bringing, respectively, the Syrian government and the opposition to the negotiation table.
However, many opposition groups have already said they will not attend the Geneva talks, and Syrian President Bashar Assad has also implied that the government’s participation is not guaranteed.
Lavrov did not name any rebels’ sponsors in his diatribe. Syrian Islamists are believed to enjoy broad support from Sunni Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Lavrov also criticized previous threats against countries seeking a political solution to the crisis, including Russia.
Three Russian diplomats sustained minor injuries during last month’s shelling of an area around the Russian embassy in Damascus.
Syrian Christian towns emptied by sectarian violence
Tens of thousands Syriac Christians – members of the oldest Christian community in the world – have fled their ancestral provinces of Deir al-Zour and Hasakah in northeastern Syria, residents have said.
“It breaks my heart to think how our long history is being uprooted,” said Ishow Goriye, the head of a Syriac Christian political Hasakah.
Mr Goriye, told The Daily Telegraph how, over the past two years he has watched as Christian families from Hasakah pack their possessions on the rooftops of their vehicles and flee their homes “with little plan to come back”.
Conflict in the area, desperate economic conditions, lawlessness, and persecution by rebel groups born from the perception that Christians support the regime, remain the main reasons for why Christian families are fleeing the area.
The growing presence of radical jihadist groups, including al-Qaeda, has also seen Christians targeted.
“It began as kidnapping for money, but then they started telling me I should worship Allah,” a male Christian resident of Hasakah who was kidnapped by jihadists said.
“I was with five others. We were tied and blindfolded and pushed down on our knees. One of the kidnappers leant so close to my face I could feel his breath. He hissed: ‘Why don’t you become a Muslim? Then you can be free’.”
Another Christian in Hasakah said he knew of “five forced conversions” in recent weeks.
Mr Goriye’s Christian ‘Syriac Union’ party has long been in opposition to President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
While speaking to The Telegraph, its members were loath to criticize the opposition rebels, but many confessed that the situation had become “too bad” not to talk about it.
Hasakah and other towns in northeastern Syria have long been one of the main population centres for Christians, who make up approximately 10 per cent of the country’s population. Residents estimate that at least a third of Christians in northeastern Syria have fled, with few expecting to return.
One Hasakah resident who has now escaped the area said: “Rebels said we had to pay money for the revolution. My cousin is a farmer, and wanted to check on his land. I warned him he should take armed security but he refused. A group kidnapped him in the barn of his farm. We had to pay $60,000 [£52,000] for his release. They are milking the Christians”.
Though accused by some opposition groups of supporting Mr Assad, much of Syria’s Christian community has avoided “choosing sides” in the war, seeking self-preservation in neutrality.
But the strategy has left Christians defenceless in the face of sectarian attacks and the lawlessness that now define rebel-held areas. Last year, when government forces pulled out Hasakah province, leaving the terrain in the hands of Kurdish groups and Sunni opposition rebel, Christians became an easy target.
A Christian man calling himself Joseph and living in Hasakah said: “The only unprotected group are the Christians. The Arabs had arms coming from Saudi and Qatar, the Kurds had help from Kurdistan. We had no weapons at all.”
Local residents said many Christians had tried to join the rebellion against President Assad, but their efforts were marginalised early on by sectarian minded Sunni rebel groups.
Joseph added: “We are not with the regime. Many times the Islamists didn’t want us to join them in the demonstrations. We tried to participate but we were not given a role. It felt as though it was a strategy to force Christians out of the revolution“.
Bassam Ishak, a Christian member of the main opposition bloc the Syrian National Coalition, who comes from Hasakah, said he and his colleagues had tried “several times” to approach western officials asking for weapons for Christian groups to defend their areas.
“The West wants to arm the seculars or ‘West friendly’ people, well we, the Syriac Christians are those people. We want arms to protect our communities,” he said. “We spoke to western diplomats asking for help, and everyone ignored us”.
VOICE OF THE PERSECUTED 