What is happening today is a systematic plan to homogenize the country and subjugate its indigenous components through intimidation, extermination, or forced displacement. This constitutes a clear ethnic cleansing and sectarian religious extermination, with no ambiguity. Therefore, we urge the international community to assume its responsibility, to explicitly recognize the right of threatened communities to protect themselves, and to provide all legal means and necessary support to prevent them from becoming yet another victim in the ongoing series of massacres.

Christians seek to live in peace and security, yet their historical existence in this land is now under threat. The international community bears the duty to intervene to prevent genocide and deter the aggressors.

“To the Christians: Know that we have not yet avenged ourselves, and the news is what you will see, not what you hear. (That is — it will be evident through actions, not words.)”
• Accompanying comment on a photo from the protest against the series of extrajudicial killings in Wadi al-Nasara:
”#Homs – Wadi al-Nasara
A photo missing only a boooooom 🤍👌”

We emphasize that silence in the face of crimes committed on a sectarian basis, and killings targeting individuals based on identity, constitutes indirect complicity with the perpetrators. Holding accountable both those who promote inciting rhetoric and those who carry out these crimes is a legal and ethical obligation to prevent further escalation, protect civilians, and preserve what remains of social peace.

They were killed after masked gunmen, affiliated with the de-facto authority, opened fire on them from a motorcycle in the town.

The funeral procession for the two martyrs was held at 4:00 p.m. (Syria time) on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Church of Our Lady in ‘Anaz.

Mercy and eternal rest be upon the martyrs, patience and consolation to their families and loved ones, and a speedy recovery to the wounded brother Pierre Harikas. 💔🙏

Bishop Basilios Mansour, Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Akkar and its dependencies, delivered a moving address during the funeral of the two martyrs, Wisam and Shafiq Mansour, in the village of ‘Anaz. In his remarks, he conveyed the anger and grief of the community, calling for justice and public accountability of the perpetrators, while affirming the symbolic significance of the valley and the dignity of its people.

He described the incident as a historic crime and rejected the name “Valley of the Christians” being reduced to “Valley of the Nazarenes,” urging instead the use of “Valley of the Christians” as the true name reflecting their belonging to Jesus Christ. He expressed gratitude for the solidarity statement from Qal‘at al-Hosn, but stressed that superficial reconciliations are not sufficient.

The bishop demanded a public trial for the perpetrators, affirming that the martyrs will not rest until justice is visibly served. He rejected the vilification of the valley’s residents, insisting that they did not initiate aggression, and called upon the state to reveal the truth and ensure justice rooted in peace rather than revenge. He underlined the Christian community’s commitment to the state, the rule of law, and coexistence.

He concluded by urging the state to treat the valley’s residents as genuine citizens and not to burden them beyond what they can bear, affirming the valley’s historical role as a symbol of peace, and praying for the repose of the righteous martyrs.