Some 240 refugees from war-torn Syria have taken refuge in Belgium, officials said.
The refugees—mainly Christians but also include Yazidis—have been brought out of the Syrian city of Aleppo, according to ASSIST Ministries as confirmed by the government in Brussels.
Before being brought into chaos by the continuing three-year conflict between and among Syrian government forces, rebels, and jihadist militants, Aleppo had a Christian population of around 160,000.
All the families were at risk of repeated human rights abuse and were taken to Lebanon for safety first through the help of civil society groups.
The rescue operation took two months to complete with great secrecy.
"We did it via civil society organisations which could get them out of there," said a foreign ministry spokesperson.
Some of the families already had connections with people residing in Belgium.
They are expected to be granted asylum by the Belgian government.
Belgium is one of the European countries put under pressure to provide a safe haven to Christians and other religious minorities in Syria who live every day under the constant threat of persecution.
According to Amnesty International, civilians in Aleppo are suffering from "unthinkable atrocities."
One resident described the city as a "circle of hell" as streets are filled with blood while those who die are not even the ones involved in the fighting.
"More than a year ago the UN passed a resolution calling for an end to human rights abuses, and specifically barrel bomb attacks, promising there would be consequences if the government failed to comply," said Philip Luther, director of Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa program.
"Today, the international community has turned its back on Aleppo's civilians in a cold-hearted display of indifference to an escalating human tragedy."
"Continued inaction is being interpreted by perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity as a sign they can continue to hold the civilians of Aleppo hostage without fear of any retribution."
