They are converging on Aleppo in a disturbing way. Thousands of men from Assad’s Syrian army, prepared to what the media calls the “final battle” against militias who had long controlled the Syrian city which is now nearly destroyed. Here is what is happening in the civilian drama these days, in the words of Father Ibrahim, pastor of Aleppo, reached by telephone by Luca Collodi on August 9, 2016.

The situation is very difficult, because the bombings have intensified, as always, at night; there are still missiles falling on this area, the residential areas of the west of the city in which we live. We know nothing of the war situation but certainly we feel the negative results. So many people are afraid: no electricity, as always, and now a lack of water again … Everything is at a high price and in recent days the two areas were evacuated and many people have slept (and continue to sleep) in the streets and tents.

Father Ibrahim, the United Nations is calling for a humanitarian truce for 48 hours. What are the conditions?
I doubt that there will be the conditions for a truce. We heard, following some news yesterday and this morning, of the expected arrival of many soldiers from all over, to Aleppo; and the atmosphere is not that of a quiet, peaceful preparation for a truce. This time it could also be an all-out war. The army, for its part, wants to resume the part that it has lost in recent days, while these military groups are preparing to advance further towards Hamadaniya and toward the western part of the city.

You talk about the rebels. They are controlled by jihadist groups?
I do not use the word “insurgents.” Because today, as we see and hear us, from within the city it is the jihadists (more than the rebels) who have taken the helm of these groups of soldiers—which is very, very different.

As Franciscans and as a Parish, how you are helping the civilian population?
It ‘s a miracle that we are preparing, even this month, beginning tomorrow, to send out the monthly food parcel to hundreds…no, thousands of families who are in need. It’s a miracle of Divine providence that we could buy all the items needed before the closure of the Aleppo highway. We are very satisfied and happy that at least we can send out this hearty food parcel to a thousand families.

Are you preparing for the final attack; for the complete capture of the city by Assad’s military?
Actually, we do not know what will happen. We have announced to all the priests, beginning yesterday, and we have also told the people, that we want to fast and pray in these next 72 hours; the desire for peace always wins over the other desire—the desire of war.