ISIS Bombed Historic Syrian Church On Easter

04.06.2015 | Surge Wire |

The Islamic State blew up an 80 year-old church on Easter Sunday in northeastern Syria.

Militants planted explosives inside the Church of the Virgin Mary in the Assyrian village of Tel Nasri in Al-Hasakah province, according to the Syrian state-owned news agency, SANA. No casualties were reported.

According to Syrian independent press agency ARA News:

Pro-IS media sources reported that the Islamic State launched an offensive on what they described the “polytheistic Assyrian church” in Tel Nasri and they were able to destroy major parts of it.

The church was built in 1934 and is considered “one of the three main churches in Tel Nasri village,” according to SANA. The Assyrian Human Rights Network reported the Islamic State has controlled the town since early March and stationed fighters inside the church. Militants planted explosives in the area in order to deter the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Syriac Military Council, a Christian force, from entering the village.

The Islamic State kidnapped hundreds of Syrian Christians and raided villages on the Khabur river last month. Kurdish and Christian forces continue to fight the Islamic State advance in northeastern Syria. (RELATED: ISIS Makes Big Move On Christian Villages)

ISIS blows up part of ancient church in Tel Nasri near Tel Tamr #Hasakah #Syria — @SyriacsNews http://t.co/pEtXtrB0Hz pic.twitter.com/awjdEjpr7U

— Sana Masfaka (@SanaMasfaka) April 5, 2015

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