A Syrian security source said Wednesday that
Syrian rebels were still
positioned in the ancient Christian town of Maaloula near Damascus, a day after
they announced they were willing to withdraw.
The source added that the Syrian regime troops did not recapture the village
yet, noting however that the army is making progress.
Earlier, rebels announced that they would withdraw from Maaloula, on
condition that pro-regime forces "would not take their place."
On Tuesday, hundreds of Christians held a funeral procession in Damascus for
three cousins, who were allegedly killed by extremists as they attempted to
flee the Christian village of Maaloula, British broadcaster Sky News reported.
Guns were fired into the air as a mark of respect as men carrying the
coffins of the Christian cousins walked in a funeral procession through the Old
Town.
Sky News reported that many of those attending the funeral had also fled the
ancient town of Maaloula, around 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Damascus, a
village where many speak the original Aramaic language of Jesus Christ.
The town was reportedly attacked by Syrian fighters, some with links to
al-Qaeda, the British broadcaster reported.
Mourners reportedly told Sky News that the cousins were killed by fighters
from the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra. Two had their throats cut,
another was shot - the mourners allege.
On Sunday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said rebel forces, which
include jihadists linked to al-Qaeda, controlled Maaloula.
A nun from the Mar Takla convent in Maaloula told AFP during a telephone
call that "fierce battles took place on Tuesday, but the town was not
shelled. We and the orphans we take care of are doing well, but we lack
fuel".
The battle for Maaloula has raised fears among Syrian Christians that the
alternative to President Bachar Assad's regime, which is made up mostly of
Shiite Alawites, would not tolerate minority religions.
Such concerns have helped Assad gain the support of large portions of
Syria's minority communities, including Christians, Alawites, Druze and ethnic
Kurds.
Most of the rebels and their supporters are Sunni Muslims.
REUTERS/LBCI