Lebanese Christians Rejoice: Freed After Decades in Assad’s Prisons

Christians in Lebanon are celebrating the release of several prisoners who were abducted by the Syrian regime over several decades of occupation and who are now, finally, free after the sudden collapse of the Assad regime. 

Lebanese media reported: “Souheil Hamawi, a Lebanese national detained in Syria for 33 years, has returned to his home in North Lebanon. Hamawi, who claimed he was arrested in December 1992 at his home in Chekka, arrived in his village accompanied by a brass band and was welcomed by relatives in an emotional reunion, according to our correspondent Michel Hallak.”

Some of the missing Christians were political activists; others were members of Christian militias that had been active during the Lebanese civil wars of the 20th century.  

Syria dominated Lebanon for decades until it was eclipsed by Iran and its proxy, Hezbollah, who propped up a faltering Assad regime while continuing to dominate Lebanese politics.  

While there is still widespread concern about the fate of Christians inside Syria, especially since the Syrian rebels who overthrew Assad are radical Islamists with ties to terror, there is broad delight at the demise of the Syrian regime. (BB / VFI News)