Syrian refugees in B.C. distraught as Aleppo under attack

VikenMajarianandAlin Arekelianhad been looking forward to their first Valentine's Day since arriving as Syrian refugees in Canada.

But it was impossible to celebrate over the weekend, as they received frightening news fromfamily in Aleppo.

• Read more: Finding Refuge: Syrian arrivals prepare for a new life

"Wetried to make thatoccasion, Valentine's [Day].I bring a rose to my wife, but inside you are not feeling that happiness," Majarian said.

"Our mind is there what is going on there."

Residents of Aleppo are caught in the middle of fiercefighting, asRussian-backed government troops intensify their push to retake Syria's largest city from rebel forces.

The United Nations says 50 civilians were killed on Monday,after missiles struck at least three hospitals and a school in northern Syria.

Majarian says arocket struck a building 50 metres from his brother's house in Aleppo, as the family including an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl slept Sunday night.

"When I speak withhim, he was telling me that they are at home and shaking," says Majarian, whoarrived inB.C. late last year with his wife and two young children,sponsored by an Armenian church in Richmond.

• Syrian refugees celebrate Armenian Christmas in B.C.

• Syrian refugee dentist and engineer face long road rebuilding in B.C.

The continued assaults on Aleppo have set off another wave of refugees.

Many are desperate to get into neighbouring Turkey, but the Turkish government has closed the border.

'Guilt at having left'

MargotSangster, asettlement crisis support worker at the Immigrant Services Society of B.C., has been speaking with Syrian refugees about the violence in their home country.

"It's verydifficultfor them," she said.

"Theyfeelpowerless of course when they're here in Canada. They may feel some guilt at having leftand having left family members behind."

Majariansays he does feel guiltywhen he speaks to his family that remains inSyria.

"Yes and no.Yes, because I left them there.No, because Isaved my family."

It's particularly difficult knowing he's not there to care for his elderly parents, who have now been without electricity for five months and haven't had running water for a month.

"When I spoke with my mother, she was telling me, 'Are you thinking to come back to Syria?'" he said.

"I say, 'Mom, how can I come back to that situation?'"