Christians in Syria face deadly threats

The situation in Syria is becoming more difficult every day. Christians face death threats from Islamists inside the country including from Turkey, affiliated with former ISIS jihadists, al-Qaeda and Tahrir al-Sham.

Syrian Christians have been persecuted for years and are still experiencing it because there are remnants of Islamist groups in the north of the country. Although the situation has stabilized in much of the territory, threats persist. “Christians in Syria still deal with daily persecution that can turn violent, even though the danger from the so-called Islamic State has greatly diminished. Sharing the gospel is very risky, and church buildings are often destroyed. The kidnapping of Church leaders continues to have a considerable negative impact on Christian communities”, stress sources who are still in the country.

Furthermore, Turkey launched multiple attacks against Kurds and Christians in the north of the country last November. “These military attacks by the Recep Tayyip Erdogan regime are part of a Turkish policy of annihilation of the Kurds and Assyrians [Christians] in northern Syria and Iraq. Turkey has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including shelling, kidnapping, torture, and extrajudicial killings. The attacks are part of Turkey’s genocidal policies towards Kurds, Christians and Yazidis.”

Therefore, Christians in Syria experience a double threat from different groups that threaten them, intimidate them and restrict their freedom of faith on a daily basis. Syria is an example of fighting and persistence towards these attacks but we must not forget them and be aware of the help they need to be able to lead a normal life. From the SIT we continue to be present in these countries.