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The Syrian war, which is the largest humanitarian tragedy since WWII, has entered its seventh year with yet another unbearable war crime, where several news reports confirmed that airstrikes using chemical weapons in the Idlib province have targeted the village of Khan Sheikhoun, causing the death of more than 70 people, including at least 20 children. This attack and many other airstrikes have been targeting civilian populations, including vulnerable children and women.
The World Council of Churches (WCC) believes that this attack, as well as so many other war crimes, crimes against humanity and unbearable atrocities, are sadly still taking place against an innocent civil population because the culture of impunity is maintained in Syria and the whole region. The WCC urges the UN Security Council in meetings today to put an end to this impunity by investigating these crimes and establishing mechanisms of accountability that will bring all those responsible to trial.
The WCC expresses its deep sympathy with the families of the victims, and prays that God may grant them comfort and heal their wounds. We also pray the God of justice and peace to accompany the Syrian people in those critical and painful moments.
Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
General Secretary
World Council of Churches
