Christians in Syria insist they will continue worshipping despite the advancement of Islamist-backed rebels.

Fighters have now reached the borders of Homs, prompting President Assad’s forces to withdraw from the city. Rebels backed by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham captured Aleppo last week.

Despite being under rebel control, Catholics in the city still gathered to honour the feast of Saint Barbara this week, and pray for peace.

Aleppo’s population is majority Muslim, but its Christian minority is estimated to be 25,000. This number used to be estimated at 200,000, but has drastically fallen after 14 years of civil war.

Archbishop Boutros Marayati told worshippers: “Do not fear, dear brothers. We have received assurances from all parties. Continue living normally, and everything will remain as before, even better."

Therese Kalaghasi, a 60 year-old Christian resident told the outlet AFP: “We pray for peace in our country. Despite the circumstances in Aleppo, we made sure to celebrate Saint Barbara's feast as we do every year.”

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is deemed a terrorist group by the UN, US and Turkey. A former affiliate of Al Quaeda, it was originally called Jabhat al-Nusra.

Yet the group claim their fight is political – not religious.

A Christian who wished to remain anonymous told AFP: “To our great surprise, the behaviour of the new occupiers of Aleppo is completely different from what we expected.

"All the speeches they give are to say that they are not here to make us suffer. They are here to help us. They say, 'All we want is to overthrow Assad's regime.’”

Assad’s forces are currently in a bid to defend Homs from rebels, who have reached its borders