Damascus, Syria, Sep 27, 2013 / 04:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A Syrian priest has urged the West to remember the Christians in his country, many of whom are fleeing due to fear of the violence and shortages brought about by the ongoing civil war.

“I appeal to our fellow Christians in Europe and the U.S. not to forget us,” Father Ziad Hilal, S.J., told Aid to the Church in Need, an international Catholic charity that assists persecuted Christians around the world.

He stressed the need for a peaceful political solution to the war.

“I’m very much afraid that the exodus will continue,” he said. “The Christians are an integral part of this country, its culture and history. But if there is not a major change in the situation, it will soon look here like in Iran or Turkey.”

He explained that these countries once had “flourishing” Christian communities which have nearly vanished.

“May God spare Syrian Christians the same fate,” Fr. Hilal said.

Over 110,000 people have died in the conflict between Syrian rebels, both secularists and Islamists, and the government which began in March 2011. Over two million Syrians have become refugees because of the civil war, and another 4.25 million are internally displaced.

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