Syrian Christian leader thanks Russia for military operation in his country
MOSCOW. Nov 10 (Interfax) - One of Syria's Christian leaders, Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church, has expressed his gratitude to Russian leaders for the fight against terror in Syria.
"In particular, we are grateful for the military operation carried out by Russia, for all the casualties you incurred, for the help you have provided us with in overcoming these difficult times," Mor Ignatius Aphrem II said at a meeting with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia on Tuesday.
He also thanked Patriarch Kirill and the entire Russian Church for the humanitarian aid for Syria.
Mor Ignatius Aphrem II said the Syrian government's armed forces have gone on the offensive, "their fighting spirit has risen high thanks to Russian support."
He also expressed hope that Russia will provide assistance in the release of two Syrian metropolitans kidnapped by militants in 2013.
The Syrian patriarch said that the West is not interested in the lot of the Middle Eastern towns where Christians live.
"When other towns tied to western interests faced a threat, the Islamic State offensive was stopped very quickly. When it comes to Christians, those who have neither oil, no other natural resources, it turns out that our fate is of no interest to these countries, great powers, although we are humans as well," Mor Ignatius Aphrem II said.