SYRIA-CONFLICT-RELIGION-CHRISTIANS-MAALULA

Members of the Syrian National Defence Forces (NDF) stand behind a statue of Virgin Mary perched on the cliffs overlooking the ancient Christian town of Maalula, 56 kilometers northeast of the Syrian capital Damascus, on June 13, 2015 after the statue was restored to its original place. Some historical bells, icons and an archeological wooden door have already been retrieved by Syrian authorities and restored to their places. The battle for Maalula lasted seven months, with the Syrian army finally expelling opposition forces, including Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front, in mid-April 2014. The Syrian National Defence Forces (NDF) is an armed unit of volunteers loyal to President Bashar al-Assad operating under Syrian army command. AFP PHOTO / LOUAI BESHARA (Photo credit should read LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)