DISCOVER more about the crises facing the people of war-torn Syria and Iraq at a special talk at Alcester Town Hall this Friday, October 25.
It’s been organised by local resident Frank Wood of the charity Open Doors and two guest speakers will be giving an insight into life on the ground for the ordinary people of the region.
It’s particularly pertinent following the decision by US president Donald Trump to withdraw American troops from Syria, leaving their Kurdish allies to face an invasion by Turkey moving in to fill the vacuum left by the US.
“The situation in both Iraq and Syria has been relatively quiet for the last 12 months,” said Frank.
“However Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from supporting their Kurdish allies gives rise to a pincer threat in NE Syria from Turkey, Russian and Syrian forces.
“Iraq is more or less democratic, but the rumblings of discontent have increased recently and in the last few weeks 100 people have been killed in disturbances.”
The guest speakers will be John McHugo, a Middle East expert who has written a number of books including most recently one on the history of the present situation.
The second speaker will be ‘Werner’ the head of Open Doors operations in Iraq for many years.
Open Doors is a charity which primarily looks after the welfare of Christian and other minority religions in the region but also helps all refugees.
The talk is free but any money collected will go towards Open Doors’s work on the two countries.
“There will be an interval with light refreshments and time for a question and answer session,” said Frank.
“Both speakers will discuss the past, present and what they think is likely to happen in the next five to ten years.”
The talk starts at 7.30pm, all welcome.
