Syrians attend mass on December 18, 2015, at a church in Sadad, a majority Syriac Orthodox Christian ancient town believed to be the one referred to as Zedad in the Old Testament’s Book of Kings. Sadad is in the sights of ISIL, which controls several towns and villages in Homs province, including the famed city of Palmyra, home to ancient ruins that the group has systematically destroyed. Youssef Karwashan / Agence France-Presse
Syrians attend mass on December 18, 2015, at a church in Sadad, a majority Syriac Orthodox Christian ancient town believed to be the one referred to as Zedad in the Old Testament’s Book of Kings. SadaShow more

Christian town in Syria prays ‘for this Christmas to pass in peace’ as it confronts ISIL



SADAD, SYRIA // As military vehicles roll by, Syrian boys and girls gingerly decorate a large Christmas tree in the Christian town of Sadad, at the front lines with ISIL.

Most residents of the ancient Syriac Orthodox-majority town in central Syria have fled, and those remaining are reluctant to celebrate the holidays as fierce battles with ISIL rage nearby.

With the steady approach of ISIL, Youssef, a retired 65-year-old man living alone in Sadad, sent his family away to a safer village.

“I haven’t put up a Christmas tree in my house for the past four years because the situation does not allow us to, and because I can’t find a place for joy in my home,” he says.

Wearing a long brown coat in the chilly Syrian winter, he says sadly, “Dozens of people have died in this village; how could I put up decorations or hand out holiday sweets?”

Sadad’s historic churches have been caught in the crossfire before, with regime and rebel forces battling for control of the town two years ago.

Although government forces eventually secured the town, its residents are under attack again this winter — this time from ISIL.

“What is special about Christmas this year is the imminent threat that Sadad is facing, and the bitter memories that have come back to us,” says town mayor Sleiman Khalil.

“Now, we’re afraid it will happen again with fighters from Daesh,” he said.

Despite backing by the Russian military, government forces have struggled to keep ISIL — which controls swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq — at bay in the central province of Homs.

On December 10, regime armed forces lost control of Maheen, a village 18 kilometres from Sadad, to ISIL after holding it for only a few weeks.

Decorations in Sadad are sparse. Instead, the town’s streets are teeming with military vehicles and fighters, who now outnumber civilian residents.

Of the town’s nine churches — some of them ancient heritage sites — just three are operational.

In the church of Tiwadoros, some 15 kilometres from the front lines with ISIL, families gather for a modest service.

Women, elderly couples, and a handful of young men and fighters taking a break from the clashes fill about two-thirds of the wooden seats inside.

A massive collage of some 60 pictures is plastered across one of the walls, with the title “The Martyrs of Sadad”.

Most of those pictured don civilian clothes. Six pictures feature young men in military gear.

“I will defy Daesh until the last moment. How could I leave the village while my son defends it, and me, on the front lines?” says Shams Abboud, 62.

The sermon that day includes a special prayer in the Syriac language for “our youth, who at this time of year used to be busy decorating a big tree in the middle of the village, but who are now busy protecting our front lines,” says priest Mtanyos Melhem Stouf.

Outside, about 10 young Sadad residents put the finishing touches to the large metal tree in the town’s Mar Mikhayel garden and plan holiday activities for the remaining children in the town.

Omar Al Hay, 31, heads the local scouts group.

As he sets up a large nativity scene, Hay says the recent atmosphere of fear in the town had inspired him “to plant a small smile on the faces of the children, so we can make them forget the sounds of bullets and artillery.”

Sadad’s schools have been transformed into shelters for pro-regime militia, including more than 700 Hizbollah fighters, who have reinforced government soldiers.

“All I want is for this Christmas to pass in peace,” says Mtanyos Mawas, an elderly man who decided against fleeing Sadad when he heard the army was dispatching reinforcements.

Sadad mayor Khalil said more pro-regime fighters are staying in homes.

“Despite our religious differences with Hizbollah, we’re confronting a single enemy together, and that is Daesh,” he says.

* Agence France-Presse

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

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Anxiety and work stress major factors

Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.

A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.

Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.

One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.

It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."

Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.

“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi. 

“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."

Daniel Bardsley