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This article was written by staff from Caritas Syria, and first appeared on the Caritas International blog.

Last week was particularly difficult and deadly in Aleppo.

Caritas works in the Jabal Es Saydeh quarter with families who have been forced from their homes. But it is now empty of all its residents, driven from their homes by heavy fighting. The local sheikh was murdered. He had opposed the armed groups. He was beheaded and his severed head displayed for passersby to see.

Homes have been occupied by fighters and used as advanced firing positions. Bullets and bombs rain down ceaselessly on Jabal Es Saydeh and adjacent neighbourhoods. Snipers dominate the city. They’ve moved into areas previously thought safe before.

Christian parts of the city which were thought safe have become the front line. Families have had to flee from place to place looking…