Church leaders in Syria’s Latakia province say no churches are sheltering civilians

By Ahmet Karaahmet and Gizem Nisa Cebi

LATAKIA, Syria/ISTANBUL (AA) - Church leaders in Syria’s Latakia province denied claims circulating on some social media platforms that churches have opened their doors to Syrian civilians seeking refuge.

In a statement Sunday, the Union of Spiritual Leaders of Christian Churches emphasized that there is no situation requiring special precautions and urged the public not to give credence to such rumors.

The statement noted that churches remain ready to assist those in need, as they always have.

It also said that in a recent meeting with officials, a delegation from the Syrian General Security Administration was present, and the concerns of the public were conveyed to the authorities.

The statement further stressed that news from unofficial sources should not be taken into consideration.

In recent days, Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus have seen coordinated attacks by loyalists of the former Assad regime. These attacks, described as the most severe since the regime’s fall in December, targeted security patrols, checkpoints and hospitals, resulting in deaths and injuries.

In response, security and military forces launched sweeping operations to track down the attackers. The operations led to fierce clashes, as government officials assert that the situation is moving toward full stability.

Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period on Jan. 29.