Armenian Catholic Priest and His Father Shot Dead in Syria

CBN News has learned ISIS’s gunmen in Syria opened fire on a car carrying Armenian Christian leaders on Monday, killing two priests and wounding a deacon.

International Christian Concern reports the attack on the vehicle took place as the three church officials were traveling from the Syrian city of Qamishli to Deir ez-Zor.

ISIS’s official Amaq media outlet claimed responsibility, saying, “Two Christian priests were killed today, ISIS shot them down.” 

In addition, three nearly simultaneous car bombings occurred in the city of Qamishli, which is well known for its religious and ethnic diversity. One of the explosions occurred near a Chaldean church. 

The Armenian church leaders were traveling to Deir ez-Zor to inspect an Armenian Catholic Church which has suffered damage due to the Syrian conflict. Father Hanna Bidu, also known as Father Abrahim Petoyan, was killed instantly during the attack. His son, known as Father Hovsep Petoyan, reportedly succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The deacon, Fati Sano from the Armenian al-Hassakeh Church, was wounded.