"In the neighborhoods of Aleppo, still in rebel hands and jihadist
groups, five representatives have been appointed who should negotiate a
kind of agreement with the Syrian army. We hope and pray that this path
leads to a solution that will save from further suffering and
destruction for all". This is what Bishop Georges Abou Khazen OFM, Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo for the Catholics of the Latin rite, refers to Agenzia Fides regarding the latest developments of the military operations taking place in the battered Syrian city, where the army is gradually regaining the neighborhoods that for years were controlled by paramilitary rebels, including jihadi militias such as the Jabhat al Nusra Front.
Regarding the situation in Aleppo, the Franciscan Bishop refers to Fides information that is hard to find in the reports of the international mainstream media.
"At least 20 thousand people have fled from areas controlled by rebels and were welcomed by the Syrian army and by aid organizations. Other 70 thousand remained in areas recently reconquered by the armed forces of the government, who distributed food and facilitated the strengthening of health relief.
In areas still in the hands of rebels, those of the al Nusra Front do not want the civilian population to leave. In some cases they prevented this by using weapons. We know that in some cases there have been popular demonstrations calling on the opposition militias to withdraw. Now we hope in a negotiation to reach an agreement, and if possible even in a reconciliation, through negotiators who obviously have been chosen with the consent of the armed groups".