Elderly Syrian woman Adiba, 80, stands at her room in the St Elie Rest Home, founded in 1863, in Aleppo on January 02, 2013. The aging Christians holed up inside the retirement home in the devastated northern Syrian city of Aleppo have no light, no telephone lines, and little idea of what is happening in the outside world. AFP

Story Summary

The ageing Christians holed up inside a retirement home in the devastated northern Syrian city of Aleppo have no light, no telephone lines, and little idea of what is happening in the outside world.

But fellow Christians and rebel fighters still ensure they do not go hungry, bringing the dozen or so residents whatever food they can every day.

The St Elie Rest Home, founded in 1863, is behind a black metal door on a street strewn with debris and rubbish a short way from the front line where rebels and regime forces face off against each other.

The costs of running the home are borne by Syria’s Christian community and by rich sponsors.

The St Elie Rest Home has not been spared in the fighting. Two shells hit the neighbouring building, shattering the home’s windows and twisting the entrance door.

All of Aleppo is at war”.

The residents are lavish in their praise of Commander Hatab, the local head of the rebel Free Syrian Army, who often comes to see them.

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2013/Jan-05/201035-aleppo-christians-find-safe-haven-near-front-lines.ashx#ixzz2HBTQz1hT
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)