Syrian government troops have forced rebels out of the ancient Christian town of Maaloula. Find out more in this RIA Novosti photo chronicle.
Government forces have regained control of Syria’s oldest Christian town, Maaloula. It is one of the few places in the world where some residents can still speak Aramaic, the language Jesus Christ is believed to have spoken.
Maaloula is a small town located 55 km (34 miles) north of Damascus at an altitude of more than 1,500 meters.
This picturesque mountain town, surrounded by vineyards and hermits’ caves, is an island of Christianity in Syria.
Government forces launched an attack to regain Maaloula on Sunday.
The rebels entered Maaloula on Thursday and two days later forced government forces to withdraw.
Photo: Government troops sleep and load their weapons while their artillery is shelling the rebels’ positions.
Photo: Government troops sleep and load their weapons while their artillery is shelling the rebels’ positions.
The military says the majority of residents have fled Maaloula.
The fighting was complicated by the fact that government troops are not permitted to open fire from tanks or artillery on religious buildings, regardless of whether they belong to the Christian or Muslim faiths.
There are two unique monasteries in Maaloula – the Greek Orthodox Mar Thecla and Greek Catholic Mar Sarkis.
Photo: Government tank operators on the road to Maaloula.
Photo: Government tank operators on the road to Maaloula.
A tank operator gestures to show that running across a street that is under fire from rebels should only be attempted in pairs.
Government tank operators in the center of Maaloula.
Government troops rest during artillery shelling of the rebels’ positions.
