Patriarchs of three Syrian Churches issued a statement in connection with the aggravation of the situation in the country

His Beatitude Patriarch of Antioch and the Whole of the East John X , Patriarch of Melkite Youssef I Absi and Syro-Jacobite Patriarch Ignatius Ephraim II issued a statement in connection with the worsening situation in Syria. Christian leaders refer to the missile attack on a number of sites on the Syrian territory, made on the morning of April 14, 2018, as a treacherous attack by the United States, France and Britain against Syria. "This brutal aggression is an obvious violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations, since it is an unjustified attack against a sovereign country, a member of the United Nations," the Patriarchs of the Christian Churches of Syria emphasize. They noted with regret that "these bombings were committed by powerful countries, to which Syria did no damage." "The assertions of the United States and other countries that the Syrian army uses chemical weapons, and that Syria is a country that possesses and uses such weapons, are not substantiated and are not supported by clear and sufficient evidence," the authors of the statement stressed, , that the April 14 missile attack against Syria undermines the work of an independent international commission of inquiry. In the opinion of the Christian leaders of Syria, aggression "destroys the chances of a peaceful political solution, leads to an escalation of violence and further complications," and "encourages terrorist organizations and gives them the impetus to continue their barbaric actions." Patriarch of Antioch John X, Patriarch Melkite Youssef I Absi and Syro-Yakovite Patriarch Ignatius Ephraim II appealed to the United Nations Security Council to play their role in ensuring peace, and not contribute to the escalation of wars. "We call upon all churches in the countries involved in striking to fulfill their Christian duties, according to the teaching of the Gospel, to condemn this aggression and urge their governments to take up the defense of international peace," the statement said. The patriarchs welcomed the "courage, heroism and sacrifice of the Syrian Arab army, which courageously defends Syria and ensures the security of its people." "We pray for the souls of the martyrs and the recovery of the wounded," the authors of the message emphasized. "We are convinced that the army will not bow to external or internal terrorist attacks; she will continue to bravely fight against terrorism until the last centimeter of the Syrian land is cleared of this evil. We also welcome the bold position of the countries, allied Syria and its people. We offer our prayers for the security, victory and liberation of Syria from all kinds of wars and terrorism. " As noted in the document, Christian leaders pray for peace in Syria and around the world, calling for strengthening national reconciliation efforts to protect the country and preserve the dignity of all Syrians.