Mortar attack on Nunciature in Syria

November 5, 2013: A mortar shell hit the Papal Nunciature in Damascus Tuesday morning, in the central district of Malki, not far from the square of the Umayyad. The Apostolic Nuncio in Syria, Archbishop Mario Zenari, has reported to Vatican Radio that quite unexpectedly, at around 6.30 a.m. they heard a big bang and that he fell to the ground, trying to avoid the windows because they have already experienced attacks of not just one, but two or more mortars.
Later Archbp Zenari assessed the damage with the counsellor and the sisters of the Vatican embassy. Fortunately the damage is limited and there are no injuries, since it struck early in the morning and not later when the place is abuzz with workers and employees.
“It’s hard to say, who is responsible for the attack” he said adding that the police had already arrived. He also reported that the residence of the Franciscan Fathers in Aleppo was attacked by more mortar shells on Saturday, which have damaged the roof and fortunately do not have any casualties or injuries. “In recent weeks, in the area of old Damascus, where we have the Christian quarters, the rocket attacks have been frequent” he said, adding that it was not the first time that the Vatican Embassy was attacked.
Archbishop Zenari went on to say that the international community needs to strengthen its efforts to bring an end to the conflict. “The Syrian people want that the violence should stop immediately,” he said. “They are fed up with this conflict.”