Aleppo: Amid renewed hostilities in Syria, the Franciscan Holy Land College in Aleppo suffered significant damage during a Russian airstrike on December 1. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, according to the Custody of the Holy Land.
Located within the monastery near a church scheduled for Mass that evening, the college was severely impacted by the bombing. Fr. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land, expressed gratitude that no lives were lost, stating, "Thanks be to God, there are no casualties or injuries; only the building was damaged." He assured that all friars and parishioners were safe and noted the Franciscan Curia remains in regular communication with the Aleppo community.
Fr. Patton highlighted the escalating fear and anxiety among Aleppo’s civilian population as tensions rise. He called upon Christians and churches worldwide to unite in prayer for Syria, a nation devastated by over a decade of war and violence.
Aleppo, one of the world's oldest cities, has endured extensive destruction during Syria's civil war, which began in 2011 as a pro-democracy movement. The current surge in violence, the most severe since 2012, has seen jihadist rebel forces gain ground, including overtaking parts of Aleppo.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the involvement of jihadist rebels in the latest clashes. In response, joint Syrian-Russian airstrikes targeted areas near Aleppo on December 1, according to state news agency SANA.
The United Nations reports over 300 deaths and at least 15,000 displacements since the violence reignited on November 27. These figures are expected to climb as fighting spreads to regions like Hama. The UN has initiated evacuations from Aleppo to Damascus in an attempt to safeguard civilians.
Residents of Aleppo continue to endure the harsh realities of life amid bombings, curfews, and sniper fire. Despite their challenges, many express hope, sharing messages of resilience and determination. “We live day by day,” one resident remarked, “wondering when this dramatic situation will finally end.”
As Syria plunges deeper into conflict, the world watches with bated breath, urged to remember the people enduring unimaginable hardships and to advocate for peace in this war-torn nation.