Syria Rebels: "They fire randomly to force Christians to leave,"

 

Much of the shelling in recent weeks has centered on Christian-majority areas in the Old City, where many residents now barricade themselves at home and schools are half empty. Businessmen say sales have plunged, because people no longer dare to go out.

"Shells have become part of our everyday life," said Jean Nahhas, an 18-year-old business administration student who lives in the predominantly Christian area of Qassaa, which has been particularly hard hit by the shelling.

Nahhas, whose uncle was killed in shelling a month ago, said he and other Syrians have established a routine, going home early and calling to check on family and friends after each explosion.

Assad retains strong support in the capital, particularly among minority sects including Christians, Alawites, Druse and Shiites, making them likely targets. Foreign embassies and schools also are frequently hit. Rebels are overwhelmingly from the country's Sunni majority sect, and Christians are convinced that Islamic extremists among the fighters are deliberately targeting their neighborhoods.

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