ICC Note: Aleppo was once home to over 160,000 Syrian Christians, that number now stands close to 40,000. The Carmelite nuns of the besieged Syrian city refuse to leave their convent and abandon their flock to war. The convent is located outside the city and is under constant bombardment of airstrikes. Most of the population of Aleppo has cleared out, minus the poorest in the city who cannot afford escape.

08/09/2016 Syria (Catholic Online): Syrian and Russian forces continue to bombard Syria with continuous airstrikes but Carmelite nuns refuse to leave their convent.

According to the Catholic Herald, the nuns requested help from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) to help the people who can’t leave.

Sister Anne-Françoise, of Aleppo’s Discalced Carmelite Sisters, stated: “the bombs are falling all around us, but we are not going to leave the people in their suffering.

“When the Syrian army attempts to prevent the opposition and other groups from entering into the city, the bombing and shelling is really close to us.”

The Carmelite convent is located on the outskirts of Aleppo, which is constantly bombarded by airstrikes. The Sisters explained Aleppo’s citizens left as soon as the war began and slowly intensified, leaving only the poorest citizens

Sister Anne-Françoise explained: “We have no water, no electricity, and the fighting is continuing incessantly. Who could possibly come back in these conditions?” The Middle East, the land of Christ, now risks becoming empty of Christians. That is unthinkable, and yet the situation is truly terrible.”

The situation in Aleppo is so dire only 40,000 Christians remain of its previously 160-thousand-strong population.

According to Sojourners, the nuns’ appeal to the ACN has led to the group’s attempt to draw attention to the Carmelite’s plight.

Syrian ground troops backed by Russian missiles constantly fight opposing rebels in an attempt to gain control of the city yet still the Carmelite nuns refuse to leave.

Sister Anne-Françoise explained: “When the Syrian army attempts to prevent the opposition and other groups from entering the city, the bombing and shelling is really close to us. Thank God, they haven’t hit us yet, but we are constantly hearing the shells pass over our heads.

“…The diplomatic solutions have not worked,” the Sister continued. “We simply pray to the Lord that this war may stop.”

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