Syria: Russian humanitarian aid distributed in Maaloula town

A new batch of humanitarian aid, presented by Russia, was distributed on the residents of Ma’aloula town in Damascus Countryside, in cooperation with the Governorate of Damascus Countryside and Martyr Ahmed Qadirov Charity.

Seizure of Nuns Stokes Syrian Christian Fears.

DAMASCUS,  December 8 (Lee Keath, Associated Press) - Syrian Christians offered prayers Sunday for a group of more than a dozen nuns and orphanage workers held by rebels for nearly a week, fueling fears in the minority community that they are being targeted by extremists among the fighters seeking to oust President Bashar Assad.
The seizure of the 12 Greek Orthodox nuns and at least three other women is the latest attack to spark panic among Syria's Christians over the strength of al-Qaida-linked militants and other Islamic radicals in the nearly 3-year-old revolt against Assad's government.

Missing Syrian nuns appear in video, say ‘release imminent’

A group of nuns who went missing in Syria after opposition forces took control of a Christian town this week say in a video that their evacuation was a rescue operation, not a kidnapping. However, the authenticity of the footage has been questioned.

Vatican Ambassador to Syria Mario Zenari said Tuesday that 12 nuns, including the convent’s Mother Superior, had been removed from Maaloula to a militant-held town some 20 kilometers away, following heavy clashes with government forces Monday.