Shiite preacher warns lives of abducted pilgrims in danger
BEIRUT: A Shiite preacher warned Thursday that
the recent Syrian-Turkish border clash threatens the safety of the remaining
pilgrims in Syria.
“The shelling and the retaliation that took
place Wednesday between Turkey and Syria is a threat against the lives of the
nine pilgrims because they are present in a very sensitive location,” Sheikh
Abbas Zogheib said.
The pilgrims were kidnapped by Syrian armed
rebels in May while returning from a pilgrimage in Iran, and several media
reports said that the rebels are keeping the hostages in the northern Syrian
town of Azaz.
According to Zogheib, who has been tasked by
the Shiite Higher Council to follow up on the issue of the pilgrims, the
Turkish authorities are responsible for ensuring their safety.
“Turkey is responsible
today for the presence of the pilgrims in that area. The families of the
kidnapped call on Turkish authorities to speed up their release to end this
crisis given the danger to their lives.”
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