It’s a dangerous new reality.
Syria’s Christian community is increasingly concerned about its future in light of recent violence that claimed over 1,000 lives earlier this month. A watchdog organization reports that starvation is being weaponized and that Christian workers are being denied wages. The violence, involving clashes between Assad loyalists and opposition forces in Latakia and Tartus, left more than 1,300 dead in under 72 hours, with many more dying in subsequent skirmishes.
While Christians were not specifically targeted, many live in the areas that were hit by violence. These events have heightened fears among Syria’s Christian population, some of whom have already been subjected to increased discrimination, particularly after the Assad regime’s fall in December. Brian Orme, CEO of Global Christian Relief (GCR), highlighted that Christians are facing dire conditions, including wage cuts and harassment.
One of the armed groups, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is reportedly using starvation as a tactic, withholding wages from Christian workers. There are also reports of threats to churches and Christian cemeteries, with some survivors receiving threatening calls vowing further attacks on Christians. Many Islamist groups in the region view Christians as “infidels” and believe there is no place for them in Syria.
GCR is collaborating with local partners, including those within the Evangelical and Orthodox churches, to provide both immediate and long-term support to Christians in Syria. Despite Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, condemning the violence, Orme suggests that he lacks control over his military forces, dismissing his calls for accountability as ineffective.
GCR has been actively involved in relief efforts since December, distributing essential aid such as food, clean water, and shelter. Orme emphasized the importance of international support for persecuted Christians, urging Western governments to consider religious persecution in their foreign policies. While he mentioned the possibility of sanctions against Syria, Orme cautioned that such measures could worsen the situation for already vulnerable Christians and stressed the need for careful decision-making regarding aid and diplomatic responses.