ICC Note: Maaloula, a Christian city in Syria, is unlikely to find total restoration following the radical Islamic takeover that terrorized its residents over 2 years ago.  The Al-Nusra Front – an Al-Qaeda affiliated terror organization – laid siege on Maaloula and has ruled it since 2013.  Al-Nusra’s violent tactics were listed in the same UN report with ISIS that detailed egregious human rights and international humanitarian law violations. 

3/8/2016 Syria (CBN News) – Historic churches and monasteries in the Syrian Christian city of Maaloula still haven’t recovered from its occupation by Islamic militants two years ago.

Fighters with the al-Nusra Front, an al Qaeida-backed rebel group, captured the town in 2013 and ruled it until Syrian forces drove them out the following year.

The jihadis destroyed Christian buildings, stole and destroyed relics and even kidnapped nuns.

The Russian government recently organized a trip for international journalists to visit the area.

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http://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2016/March/Christian-City-in-Syria-Still-Recovering