Greek Orthodox town Mharda surrenders to Turkish-backed militants: Refugees flee to the Valley of the Christians

The Antiochian Greek Orthodox town of Mharda has surrendered to the Turkish-backed Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group.

The town of Mharda, in Hama Governorate, predominantly inhabited by an Antiochian Greek Orthodox community, has surrendered to HTS forces after its elders brokered an agreement.

Mharda's origins are rooted in the ancient Greek town of Apamea (Ἀπάμεια), established after the conquest of the region by Alexander the Great.

HTS extremist fighters taking over Hama has caused the flight of the Greek Orthodox residents of Mharda, Suqaylabiyah (Seleucia, Greek: Σελεύκεια), Homs city and elsewhere to the Valley of the Christians.

Greco-Levantines Worldwide media activists noted that the local community in the Valley of the Christians responded warmly, offering shelter and support to the displaced families by opening homes, churches, and community halls to accommodate those in need.

Many families from the Antiochian Greek community sought sanctuary in the Valley, where they found refuge amid escalating violence and instability.

According to sources cited by Greco-Levantines Worldwide, the Christian neighbourhoods of Homs are now almost entirely deserted, with most residents relocating to the Valley of the Christians and nearby Christian villages west of the city.

The same outlet published a photo of smiles from children sheltered at St. Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church, where a recreational activity was held for children aged 11-16.

The Valley of Christians (Wadi al-Nasara) is a collection of towns and villages near the Syria-Lebanon border mostly inhabited by Greek Orthodox Christians.

It is ecclesiastically under the Archdiocese of Akkar, which has its seat in Cheikh Taba, Lebanon.

The current Metropolitan of Akkar and Wadi al-Nasara and its dependencies (Safita and Tartus) is Mgr Basilius Mansour.

Meanwhile, Russian warplanes targeted the Al-Rastan Bridge and its surroundings across the Orontes River, aiming to cut the road between Hama and Homs and slow HTS advances toward securing Homs.

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