In recent days, Syria’s coastal regions have witnessed a surge in violence, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 individuals, predominantly from the Alawite minority. Amid this turmoil, reports have emerged indicating that Christians have also been targeted.
The Biden administration’s support for Islamist factions in Syria, such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has inadvertently facilitated the persecution of religious minorities. Following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, HTS-led forces have been implicated in violent reprisals against Alawite communities.
While the majority of victims were Alawites, there have been confirmed reports of Christians being caught in the crossfire. In a sermon delivered in Damascus, Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X stated that “many innocent Christians were also killed” alongside Alawites. Reports indicate over 100 Christians were brutally slaughtered on Saturday alone.
Specific incidents have underscored the vulnerability of the Christian community. Obituaries shared on social media confirmed the deaths of several Christians, including a man and his son who were shot while traveling to Latakia. Additionally, four members of a Christian family were killed in their home within an Alawite-majority neighborhood of the city, and the father of a priest was killed in Baniyas.
The escalating violence has instilled fear among Christians in the region. Many have resorted to staying indoors, locking their doors, and expressing feelings of abandonment and insecurity. One resident from Latakia conveyed a sense of vulnerability, stating, “There’s a feeling that no one is protecting us.”
“We are very anxious. People’s faces are pale with fear,” another anonymous source shared, keeping her identity hidden for her own safety.
The recent attacks have drawn parallels to past atrocities against Christians in Syria. A decade ago, the Islamic State group launched a horrific assault on Christian villages along the Khabur River, resulting in deaths, hostage-taking, and the destruction of churches. The Christian population, which once constituted about 10% of Syria’s populace, has significantly dwindled due to ongoing conflicts and targeted violence.
The brutal massacre of Christians in Syria is yet another tragic example of the growing persecution of believers in the Middle East, a crisis too often ignored by Western leaders and media. Radical factions and lawlessness have made Syria a dangerous place for Christians, yet the mainstream media has remained silent.
History has shown that when Christian communities are targeted, it signals the erosion of stability and human rights in the region. Conservatives are calling for the U.S. and its allies to take a firm stand in defense of religious freedom, ensuring that those responsible for these atrocities are held accountable.
