Latest news with #OrthodoxChristians
Ya Libnan
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Russia's Hmeimim airbase in Syria is under attack. Moscow calls attack ethnic cleansing
Russia's Hmeimim airbase in Syria is under attack reportedly by an armed group likely affiliated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow is deeply concerned by what he said was ethnic cleansing being carried out by 'radical militant groups' in Syria. The comments came as Syrian sources and Russian social media channels reported an apparent attack on one of the two military bases Moscow maintains in Syria. 'Radical militant groups are carrying out real ethnic cleansing, mass killings of people based on their nationality and religion,' Lavrov said, according to a transcript of his comments published on the Foreign Ministry website. There was no indication as to what groups he was referring to in his speech to a reception to mark the last day of the Easter period for Orthodox Christians. Russia, which maintains two military bases in Syria, was a key backer of the government of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who is now in Russia, where he was given asylum. A March outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria's coastal northwest, which was an Assad stronghold, left hundreds of members of the former leader's Alawite sect dead. Russia has attempted to maintain ties with Syria's new authorities, who have said that they may yet allow Moscow to retain use of the Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base. Security tensions raging The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 'security tensions are raging around the Russian Hmeimim airbase near the city of Jableh, following an attack launched by an armed group likely affiliated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior on the base. There is information that the group shot down a drone flying over the area, coinciding with the outbreak of clashes and the hearing of heavy gunfire in the area.' In the same context, the area surrounding the airport is witnessing a widespread security alert, including the establishment of checkpoints and thorough inspections, amid anticipation and caution against any potential escalation. On April 24, the Syrian Observatory monitored Russian air defenses shooting down two drones while engaging a group of targets in the skies over Jableh, coinciding with a mobilization of Russian forces in Syrian positions. Reuters/ El Nashra
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia's Lavrov says radical groups engaged in 'ethnic cleansing' in Syria
MOSCOW/DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow is deeply concerned by what he said was ethnic cleansing being carried out by "radical militant groups" in Syria. The comments came as Syrian sources and Russian social media channels reported an apparent attack on one of the two military bases Moscow maintains in Syria. "Radical militant groups are carrying out real ethnic cleansing, mass killings of people based on their nationality and religion," Lavrov said, according to a transcript of his comments published on the Foreign Ministry website. There was no indication as to what groups he was referring to in his speech to a reception to mark the last day of the Easter period for Orthodox Christians. Russia, which maintains two military bases in Syria, was a key backer of the government of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who is now in Russia, where he was given asylum. A March outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria's coastal northwest, which was an Assad stronghold, left hundreds of members of the former leader's Alawite sect dead. Russia has attempted to maintain ties with Syria's new authorities, who have said that they may yet allow Moscow to retain use of the Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base. Two sources in Syria familiar with the matter said that the Hmeimim airbase had come under attack earlier on Tuesday. Military Informer, a pro-Russian Telegram channel that focuses on military matters, published what it said was video of a firefight between Russian troops and Syrian fighters at the base. Reuters could not verify the footage. The Syrian sources said that the motive for the attack on the airbase, which has sheltered Alawite refugees since the March attacks, was unclear. One, a Syrian security official based in the coastal city of Latakia, said an investigation was underway. U.S. President Donald Trump this month ordered sanctions on Syria imposed during Assad's rule removed, in a major policy shift for Washington.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Russia's Lavrov says radical groups engaged in 'ethnic cleansing' in Syria
MOSCOW/DAMASCUS -Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow is deeply concerned by what he said was ethnic cleansing being carried out by "radical militant groups" in Syria. The comments came as Syrian sources and Russian social media channels reported an apparent attack on one of the two military bases Moscow maintains in Syria. "Radical militant groups are carrying out real ethnic cleansing, mass killings of people based on their nationality and religion," Lavrov said, according to a transcript of his comments published on the Foreign Ministry website. There was no indication as to what groups he was referring to in his speech to a reception to mark the last day of the Easter period for Orthodox Christians. Russia, which maintains two military bases in Syria, was a key backer of the government of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who is now in Russia, where he was given asylum. A March outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria's coastal northwest, which was an Assad stronghold, left hundreds of members of the former leader's Alawite sect dead. Russia has attempted to maintain ties with Syria's new authorities, who have said that they may yet allow Moscow to retain use of the Hmeimim airbase and Tartus naval base. Two sources in Syria familiar with the matter said that the Hmeimim airbase had come under attack earlier on Tuesday. Military Informer, a pro-Russian Telegram channel that focuses on military matters, published what it said was video of a firefight between Russian troops and Syrian fighters at the base. Reuters could not verify the footage. The Syrian sources said that the motive for the attack on the airbase, which has sheltered Alawite refugees since the March attacks, was unclear. One, a Syrian security official based in the coastal city of Latakia, said an investigation was underway. U.S. President Donald Trump this month ordered sanctions on Syria imposed during Assad's rule removed, in a major policy shift for Washington.
08-05-2025
Orthodox Church leader says faith is humanity's safeguard against the 'impending robotocracy'
ATHENS, Greece -- The spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians has said that religious faith should serve as humanity's safeguard amid rapidly advancing technology and what he described as the 'impending robotocracy.' Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, 85, said that Orthodox tradition preserves 'valuable human-centric wisdom' essential for navigating a world of accelerating technological change and automation. His comments during an event at Athens University reflect growing concerns across major branches of Christianity — and ongoing dialogue between them — about artificial intelligence's potential impact on human dignity and social structures, as well as the dangers posed by autonomous weapons systems. 'In a world of rapid change, an upheaval of values, and dizzying technological advances — from artificial intelligence to the impending robotocracy — our Church proclaims that 'there is nothing more sacred than the human being, with whom God Himself shared His nature,'' Bartholomew said. The patriarch, who is based in Istanbul, Turkey, made the remarks late Wednesday in a speech published on Thursday. Religious tradition, the patriarch said, 'upholds the absolute priority of the person over systems … and the need for an education that cultivates and supports the spiritual nature of humanity.' While not opposing technological advancement, Bartholomew emphasized the need for innovation to remain human-centered. The comments echo similar concerns raised by other Christian leaders, who increasingly frame their responses to AI and robotics through theological perspectives on human uniqueness, free will, and spiritual nature. In guidance issued by the Vatican in January, the Catholic Church said applications of AI 'must all be evaluated to ensure they respect human dignity and promote the common good.' The head of the Anglican Church traveled to Rome last year to sign the Call for AI Ethics — an initiative backed by the Italian government and supported by tech giants IBM and Microsoft.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Orthodox Church leader says faith is humanity's safeguard against the 'impending robotocracy'
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians has said that religious faith should serve as humanity's safeguard amid rapidly advancing technology and what he described as the 'impending robotocracy.' Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, 85, said that Orthodox tradition preserves 'valuable human-centric wisdom' essential for navigating a world of accelerating technological change and automation. His comments during an event at Athens University reflect growing concerns across major branches of Christianity — and ongoing dialogue between them — about artificial intelligence's potential impact on human dignity and social structures, as well as the dangers posed by autonomous weapons systems. 'In a world of rapid change, an upheaval of values, and dizzying technological advances — from artificial intelligence to the impending robotocracy — our Church proclaims that 'there is nothing more sacred than the human being, with whom God Himself shared His nature,'' Bartholomew said. The patriarch, who is based in Istanbul, Turkey, made the remarks late Wednesday in a speech published on Thursday. Religious tradition, the patriarch said, 'upholds the absolute priority of the person over systems … and the need for an education that cultivates and supports the spiritual nature of humanity.' While not opposing technological advancement, Bartholomew emphasized the need for innovation to remain human-centered. The comments echo similar concerns raised by other Christian leaders, who increasingly frame their responses to AI and robotics through theological perspectives on human uniqueness, free will, and spiritual nature. In guidance issued by the Vatican in January, the Catholic Church said applications of AI 'must all be evaluated to ensure they respect human dignity and promote the common good.' The head of the Anglican Church traveled to Rome last year to sign the Call for AI Ethics — an initiative backed by the Italian government and supported by tech giants IBM and Microsoft. Bartholomew, who is on a weeklong visit to Greece, met Thursday with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis days after they both attended the funeral of Pope Francis.
