Photo: RIA Novosti

Three weeks after seizing the mostly Christian-populated town of Maaloula north of Damascus, Syrian rebels have ruined and looted the community’s church, destroying or stealing a lot of revered old icons.

The 4th-century church of St Sergius and St Bacchus was part of a convent, which had to move elsewhere in the face of rebel assault.

The nuns are hiding in another convent together with 40 children.

Rebel sniper fire blocks humanitarian access to them.

Voice of Russia, TASS

http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_09_29/Syria-Christian-church-looted-ruined-by-rebels-5466/