Reports have emerged from that Islamist rebels have begun attacking Christians in Idlib. Rumours circulated on Facebook and Twitter early Monday about the murder of a Christian man and his son in the city of Idlib which has recently been seized by Al Qaeda affiliated groups.

Reports were first denied by the Islamist coalition inside the city, stating that no Christian civilians were harmed. However later they confirmed that 2 Christians were arrested in the city for selling Alcoholic beverages from their shop. The 2 males were family members, a son and a father who activist said were known in the community and 'owned a small shop'.

Later reports circulated that the men were executed for selling Alcohol despite being warned a day earlier by Islamic police. A source close to Al Nusra said 'While we don't have problem with Nasara living here, they must adhere to Islamic Shariah Law". Nasrani is an Arabic term for Christians. Hundreds of thousands of Christians have been displaced by fighting or left the country. Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch Gregorios III Laham said last year that more than 1,000 Christians had been killed, entire villages cleared, and dozens of churches and Christian centres damaged or destroyed.

This has led some Christians to express support for President Assad, particularly as sectarian violence has increased and jihadist militant groups calling for an Islamic state in Syria have grown in strength.

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