Christians in Syria are deeply concerned for their safety following reports of mass killings in the country’s north-western regions.
Fighters loyal to the new government have been accused of killing more than 1,200 civilians across the governorates of Latakia, Tartous, Hama and Homs.
Among the victims were a number of Christians. Reports indicate that at least 12 Christians are among the dead, but the actual number is likely to be higher.
Church building in Latakia, Syria [Image credit: Bertramz / Wikipedia]
Several murders of Christians have been reported, although church leaders in Syria have cautioned that not all reports are accurate and that some may be exaggerated.
Clearly, however, the scale of the sectarian violence has raised serious concerns about the safety of religious minorities.
On 10 March a group of church leaders issued a statement asking the international community “to take concrete steps” to safeguard Syria’s historic Christian communities “who stand on the brink of disappearance within the next decade”.
“There’s a feeling that no one is protecting us,” shared one believer in the city of Latakia. “I feel a mix of both fear and anticipation for what lies ahead in Syria.”
Doubts over government commitment to minority rights
The violence erupted on 6 March in Alawite-majority areas when supporters of former president Bashar al-Assad took up arms against security forces of the new government.
The new government, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, is more closely aligned with the Sunni Muslim majority, in contrast to the former government, which was associated with the Alawite minority.
The Alawites, a sect within Islam, are considered heretical by many Muslims.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, previously known by his Islamist nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, was a leader of the militant group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda.
In December 2024, President al-Sharaa met with a delegation from the senior Christian community in Damascus following calls for him to guarantee minority rights.
The recent violence casts doubt on whether this hope will materialise.
Before the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, the country was home to about one million Christians. That number has now dwindled to around 300,000.
Ask God to protect Syrian Christians who face persecution, hardship and uncertainty. Pray that He will strengthen their hearts with courage and perseverance. Ask that He will heal the wounds of war, restore broken communities, and bring reconciliation where there is division.
