Attack on Buses to Transport Syrians in Aleppo Halts Evacuation

By Rea Gabriel
Bus for Evacuees
Five buses that were to transport evacuees from Aleppo were burned by armed men. Youtube

Five buses that were to transport the trapped Syrians in Aleppo were set ablaze by armed men. The men forced the drivers out of the buses and shot the vehicles setting them on fire.

The vehicles were meant to transport the injured and sick Syrians from two pro-government towns, according to BBC. The evacuation was said to be a mediation to free the remaining east Aleppo civilians that are stranded in exchange for the wounded people. This negotiation was halted because of the incident.

The group responsible for the attack was the al-Qaeda-affiliated Fatah al-Sham Front, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A fight between the rebels who supported the evacuation and a Lebanese militant group called Hezbollah broke out. An angry group of people who supported the government was said to be also responsible for the attack, according to the Independent.

The Free Syrian Army, a moderate-rebel group, condemned the attack.

"The people who resisted in Aleppo are paying the price of the irresponsible acts of a few. This was a reckless act endangering the lives of more than 50,000 people. It is a crime and a humiliation against our revolution and the resistance of the besieged Aleppo people," the faction stated.

The attack incidentally happened after Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin stated that Russia will veto the UN vote that will allow international observers to conduct the evacuation and support the evacuees especially the injured individuals.

"We cannot support it, we cannot allow it to pass because this is a disaster. But there could be another thing which could be adopted today by the Security Council which would accomplish the same goals," Churkin said.

However, the US ambassador to the UN Samantha Powers stated that they expect to "vote unanimously for this text tomorrow [Monday]." The three-hour long negotiations of the Security Council might have resulted to a successful parley.

The presence of international forces can prevent further humanitarian felonies that are conducted in the midst of the evacuation process.

Ahmad Al-Dbis, head doctor of one of the teams coordinating in the evacuation at rebel-held enclaves, stated the worse conditions of the evacuees, according to the Guardian.

"They were in a terrible state," he said. "They hadn't eaten, they had nothing to drink, the children had caught colds, they were not even able to go to the toilet."

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo