Christian leaders met this week with the head of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed al-Charaa. Before them, the former fighter affiliated with al-Qaeda pledged to respect all minorities. But in Homs, Christians are waiting to see the concrete effects of this policy.
2 mins
With our special correspondent in Homs, Aabla Jounaïdi
In the Christian district of Al-Hamidiyeh, in the heart of the old city, the dark stone buildings and the charm of the small streets often give way to traces of the destruction caused by the bombings of the regime. Bashar al-Assad. Many residents deserted the neighborhood at the height of the war in Syria. But not these two sisters who now have doubts:
“ We are in the unknown. We don’t know what to expect. So we live day by day. We tell ourselves that today we feel safe and we thank God, but tomorrow we don’t know. Whatever happens, we have not left here because it is our region, our home and our life. It’s enough for us to be together. At the end, we leave our homes and implore God. We rely on him, so let him do it. »
In his small shop, Fadha does not regret the old regime, which presented itself as protector of minorities. She can finally leave her home freely. The men of the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) don’t bother her. “ On the contrary. They spend all day in front of my store. I see them when I go out to do my shopping. They are very respectful. Our neighborhood, Al-Hamidiyeh, is mainly Muslims and Christians. »
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“ We hope it will get better. We are confident »
Another resident of the neighborhood is hopeful after so many years of war. “ I am from the Syriac community and my Oum Al-Zenar church is right behind. We are from the “heart of this country” as they say. This is why I want to believe that the situation will get better. That’s what we always hope for. We don’t want the past to come back. And what we see frankly comforts us. »
“ Before, here, when the rockets rained, we were afraid, because we didn’t know where they would fall. We avoided going out into the street, for fear of receiving a projectile. Today, no. We know that strikes take place here and there. Today, when they want to arrest someone, they go looking for them at home. There is an organization, an order, in a very short time. We hope it will get better. We are confident “, she continues.
Elsewhere, in the Alawite neighborhoods, the minority of which the Assad clan was a part, operations to disarm former soldiers and militiamen of the fallen regime are continuing. Their distant echoes reach Al-Hamidiyeh.
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