The rise in violence in Syria seriously harms Christian minorities.

The recent escalation of violence in Syria has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 civilians belonging to religious minorities, including Christians, Druze, and Alawites, according to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The clashes have been concentrated in the northern coastal region of the country, especially in the city of Latakia, a historic stronghold of the Alawite community, formerly loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

Following the fall of the al-Assad regime in December 2024, armed groups loyal to the former government clashed with forces of the new interim government, dominated by the Islamist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). These clashes have led to indiscriminate attacks against the civilian population, severely impacting minority communities.

The Christian community in Syria, which numbered more than two million before 2011, has seen its number reduced to approximately 579,000 due to years of conflict and persecution. The recent wave of violence has exacerbated their situation, generating fear and hopelessness among believers.

Christian religious leaders have issued a joint statement calling for an end to the violence and the implementation of a national reconciliation process that guarantees peace and respect for all citizens, regardless of their ethnic or religious origin. They call on all parties involved to assume responsibility for stopping the cycle of violence and seeking peaceful solutions that preserve human dignity and the unity of the country.

The international community is monitoring the situation in Syria with concern, urging the new government to protect the rights of all minorities and promote inclusive dialogue that will lead to lasting peace in the region.