As Syria plunges into uncertainty following President Bashar al-Assad’s departure, persecution experts highlight dire risks for Christians and other minorities. David Curry, head of Global Christian Relief, described Christians as “caught in the crosshairs of war,” with thousands displaced, refugee camps overwhelmed, and some trapped in their homes.
Islamist Groups Escalate Persecution
Opposition forces, including Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have intensified violence against minorities, Curry noted. HTS, linked to ISIS and Al Qaeda, has reportedly ethnically cleansed areas like Aleppo, displacing Kurds and Christians. Syrian Christians, who numbered 1.5 million before the 2011 civil war, now face dwindling populations, with only 300,000 remaining.
Religious Minorities Suffer Widespread Violence
International Christian Concern (ICC) reports severe abuse of religious minorities under both Assad’s rule and the opposition. Turkish-backed terrorists in northern Syria and Assad’s forces in the south have subjected minorities to torture, imprisonment, and targeted violence. Persecution has driven most Christians from areas like Aleppo and Idlib, where HTS gained control.
Grim Outlook Despite Diplomatic Promises
HTS has recently pledged tolerance toward minorities, but experts remain skeptical, citing years of attacks on Christians, including kidnappings and property seizures. Organizations warn that past patterns of violence could resume, jeopardizing the survival of Christian communities in Syria.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Syrians, including religious minorities, now grapple with food shortages and restrictive measures amid escalating conflict. Some Christian leaders have stayed to support struggling communities, though the future remains uncertain. Advocacy groups urge international attention to the plight of Christians and minorities facing an “uncertain and perilous future.”
Source:
As Syria Falls Into Chaos and Uncertainty, Persecution Watchdogs Issue Warnings
Photo by JOE Planas on Unsplash
About Post Author
