In Damascus, Catholic School Is Bombed

A sad report out of Syria:

A nine-year-old child was killed, and 45 children and five teachers were injured, in a missile attack April 15 on the Armenian Catholic School in Damascus.

Acting Armenian Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotian released a statement which was published on his Facebook page.  Ashotian said:

“I was saddened to learn of the missile attacks on ‘Paros’ Armenian Catholic School, which left one pupil dead and many others injured, six of whom being in a grave condition.  What has happened is inexcusable. Educational institutions and children should not be a target of the conflicting parties and no child should die because of war.  I offer my condolences to the parents of the killed child. I wish a speedy recovery to the injured and peace to the Syrian people.”

The Armenian Catholic School of Damascus is located in the Damascus’ historic district of Bab Tuma, in an area where there are many churches and Christian schools.

According to Father George Bahi, a priest of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchal Exarchate of Damascus, the rocket fire came at about 7:30 a.m. April 15, while children, parents and teachers were standing outside the building waiting for school to open.  Rescuers arrived immediately, and the injured were transported to three hospitals in the area.  In an interview with the Fides News Agency, Father Bahi added:  “We are all shocked by what happened.”