Syrian rebels – including those linked to Al-Qaeda – have violently attacked the Christian village of Maaloula, ordering residents to convert to Islam or “be beheaded”.
The rebels temporarily took possession of the mountain village, located north-east of the capital Damascus, in an attack led by the Islamist al Nusra Front following a clash with regime forces.
Killings
One resident described how rebels attacked Christian homes and churches after taking control of the village over the weekend, with many shouting “Allahu Akbar” (God is great).
“They shot and killed people. I heard gunshots and then I saw three bodies lying in the middle of a street in the old quarters of the village. Where is President Obama to see what has befallen us?”
Another Christian resident said: “I saw the militants grabbing five villagers and threatening them and saying, ‘Either you convert to Islam, or you will be beheaded.’”
Residents said that the rebels spoke with a number of different dialects, prompting fears that many are linked to Al-Qaeda and have been imported into the conflict.
Video
In an online video, one rebel commander shouted: “We cleansed Maaloula from all the Assad dogs and all his thugs.”
But the Syrian state news agency reported that regime forces were in control and had re-possessed the village, saying: “The army inflicted heavy losses in the ranks of the terrorists.”
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