Fears Grow Within Syria’s Christian Community Amid Sectarian Violence

The recent wave of sectarian violence between March 6 and 10 in Syria’s coastal region has sparked growing concerns within the Christian community. This escalation of violence has placed the future of Syria’s Christian community in jeopardy, further exacerbating fears about the safety and survival of religious minorities in the country.

A church source from Latakia, speaking anonymously for security reasons, described the recent events as "extremely difficult" and highlighted the growing isolation felt by the Christian community. This violence, they said, poses a direct threat to Syria’s social fabric, with Christians fearing they will become victims in a sectarian conflict they are not involved in. “This is not just a military escalation; it is a direct threat to Syria’s social fabric,” the source emphasized.

In response to the escalating violence, churches in Latakia suspended religious activities, turning to online prayers to protect worshippers. Meanwhile, leaders of Syria’s major Christian churches issued a joint statement condemning the violence and calling for national reconciliation. Patriarchs John X, Ignatius Aphrem II, and Joseph Absi condemned the killings, looting, and violence in the region, urging a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Metropolitan Ephrem Maalouli, Archbishop of Aleppo for the Greek Orthodox Church, expressed deep concern, stating that the Christian community is fearful for its future in Syria. He noted that after years of emigration, the remaining Christian population feels increasingly vulnerable to the ongoing sectarian violence.

The Christian Community’s Struggles

The Christian population in Syria, once numbering about 1.5 million before the outbreak of the civil war in 2011, has dwindled to an estimated 300,000, constituting less than 2% of the current population. Although the majority of Christians have remained neutral throughout the conflict, some groups, such as the forces of Nayel Al-Abdullah in Sqeilbiyah, have fought alongside the Syrian regime, further complicating the community’s position.

Al-Abdullah, a controversial figure, has led an armed militia claiming to defend Christians but has been accused of committing massacres against civilians. His actions have raised concerns among human rights activists and further polarized the Christian community.

Today, Christian communities are concentrated in cities like Damascus, Aleppo, and Qamishli, with pockets of Christians also residing in the coastal towns of Sqeilbiyah and Mhardeh. However, the ongoing conflict continues to undermine their safety and well-being, with many Christians fearing emigration might be their only escape from the violence.

Church leaders have called for civil peace and national reconciliation, but the path to preserving Syria’s Christian community remains uncertain. As the conflict persists, the fate of religious minorities in Syria hangs in the balance.