Zoltán Kovács/X
Budapest, Hungary – December 3rd, 2024 – Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán pledged unwavering support for Syria’s Christian community in the wake of a renewed offensive by militant insurgents. The escalation of violence threatens to reignite the brutal civil war that has ravaged Syria for the past thirteen years.
Renewed Conflict Threatens Aleppo
Last week, insurgents linked to the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, launched a major offensive, capturing parts of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city. The fighting has been some of the deadliest in years, with hundreds killed according to human rights groups.
The Syrian government, has responded with a fierce counteroffensive, aiming to halt the insurgents’ advance. However, the renewed violence has placed Aleppo’s Christian minority at grave risk. Many Christians have fled the city over the course of the war, leaving a significantly diminished community.
Hungary Offers Support and Solidarity
On Monday, Prime Minister Orbán met with Syrian Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II at the Carmelite Monastery in Budapest. The meeting, also attended by Hungarian State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians Tristan Azbej, focused on the renewed violence and the plight of Syrian Christians.
Orbán reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to advocating for peace in international forums and working to create safe living conditions for persecuted Christians worldwide. He expressed deep concern for the safety and security of Christians in Aleppo and offered humanitarian aid should the situation necessitate it.
Azbej Reaches Out to Christians in Aleppo
State Secretary Azbej shared a message of solidarity with the Christian community in Aleppo on X (formerly Twitter):
Tristan Azbej ن on X (formerly Twitter): “🕊️To our Christian friends in #Aleppo: we’re following closely the developments in Syria with great concern. Your lives, security & freedom must be protected. All of us at @HungaryHelps stand with you in solidarity, ready for humanitarian action if needed. Praying for Syria!🙏🏻✝️ pic.twitter.com/sMXiHx0DSR / X”
🕊️To our Christian friends in #Aleppo: we’re following closely the developments in Syria with great concern. Your lives, security & freedom must be protected. All of us at @HungaryHelps stand with you in solidarity, ready for humanitarian action if needed. Praying for Syria!🙏🏻✝️ pic.twitter.com/sMXiHx0DSR
A Long and Brutal Conflict
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 as a popular uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, has claimed over half a million lives and displaced millions more. The Assad government maintains control of roughly 70% of the country, with the remaining territory contested by a patchwork of rebel groups, foreign forces, and the Kurdish administration in the northeast.
The resurgence of militant group raises fears of a return to the dark days of extremist violence that plagued Syria during the early years of the war. Hungary’s pledge of support for Syria’s Christians underscores the international community’s concern for the safety of vulnerable populations caught in the crossfire of this protracted conflict.