Syrian Christians share the hopes of Jesus Christ amid ongoing political turmoil and violence and continue to live their faith in resilience. As their country deepens instability, they navigate daily difficulties, including power outages, water shortages, and threats to their safety. Despite these challenges, they remain immobilized in their mission, providing spiritual and practical support to their community, seeking prayer and divine intervention.
A report from Christians in Syria, shared with Christian Daily International, says that the future remains uncertain for many. His name is withheld for security reasons.
The government focuses on “whitening up brutal history, primarily in the eyes of Western countries, rather than dealing with the tragic reality facing Syrians within the country,” the report laments.
“Crushing Infrastructure” includes inadequate health care as thousands of employees have been fired due to ethnic and religious backgrounds, the report says.
The blackouts have been worsening, with the previous administration of former President Bashar al-Assad allowing six hours of electricity a day, dropping to four hours under the current Islamist interim government. Water shortages also persist as water pumps connected to the electric grid fight against limits on electricity usage.
However, the report highlights the most important issues as “blatant lawlessness and lack of security, daily theft, inducements, retaliation.”
“From the start, many areas, including Christian neighborhoods and villages, have been targeted by jihadist groups,” the report said. It added that Syrians were willing to see violent incidents as isolated and “continuously” worked to curb the flow of violence, but “instead of improving, the situation has worsened.”
These issues have led to two recent incidents, according to the report.
The first occurred on February 28th in the outskirts of Damascus, outside Jaramana, home to the Christian community. Druze Militias shot soldiers from Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Muslim coalition, at checkpoints. A ceasefire was agreed quickly, but the next day, rumors spread that the families of the murdered soldiers had sought revenge. They attacked Jaramana, killed members of the Druze militia and injured ten other people.
Local Christians cancelled their Sunday service and prayed as hundreds of armed HTS soldiers descended into the area on Sunday and were aiming to take Jaramana from the militia.
“By God’s grace, an agreement was reached several hours after negotiation. The person responsible for the death of the soldiers was handed over and the HTS forces were allowed to enter Jaramana for the military parade,” the informant said.
The second incident occurred on March 6th in the coastal area between Latakia and Tartus. This is home to Alawis, an ethnic group associated with former President Assad. Open Door reported that 1,500 civilians were killed, but pointed out that there was no evidence that Christians were being targeted, contrary to several other media reports.
Several soldiers were also killed after militias loyal to Assad attacked a checkpoint near Jable City, according to communications from the new regime, according to a report from Syrian Christians. HTS soldiers began searching for the perpetrators, and the former Assad-era mayor declared the formation of a “military council for the liberation of Syria,” further increasing tensions.
“Through connections with church members and families in coastal areas, we have learned that violence has escalated into what can only be described as genocides and ethnic cleansing, primarily targeting the Alawites,” the report states.
“The Syrian Human Rights Observatory recorded 1,383 deaths by March 12. Still, local estimates suggest that between 7,000 and 12,000 people have died, including at least seven Christians.”
Syrian Christians also conveyed the anguish of “ministry colleagues,” a lecturer at a university in Latakia.
“I didn’t sleep two nights,” Academic said. “That’s horrifying. Entia’s family was wiped out. I can’t forget their cry because they asked for help before they were killed by those jihadists.”
Another volunteer identified as Banyas’ “brother J” said that although the murder was indiscriminate, he trusted God for the consequences.
“No one knows when it will be their turn,” Brother J said. “Cars without license plates, masked militias – it’s a nightmare. But I have the joy and peace of Christ. I am ready. I will give up my life to you, Lord!
Brother J encouraged his Alawite neighbors, prayed for them, and urged them to trust in God.
The report also noted that the new interim government has acknowledged the atrocities and set up an investigation committee to meet with the families of the victims. “But this gesture feels insufficient in the face of such widespread suffering,” added Syrian Christian.
He asked for prayers for the Syrian church. “We pray for boldness and wisdom to serve as peacemakers, and promote God’s justice, mercy and reconciliation among the Syrian war factions.
He also sought prayers for the current government and religious identity within Syria.
“We believe this is a crucial moment that breaks the chains of oppression and brings spiritual liberation to Syria. We know that the Holy Spirit in us is greater than those in the world (1 John 4:4).”
“Pray for an open heart among the diverse ethnic and religious groups of Syria, especially among the Alawites and Sunnis, many of which have been disillusioned by the atrocities of the current regime. This is God’s opportunity to declare the hope and eternal security that the Church can see in Christ.”
“This is a historic moment for the Syrian church,” Syrian Christian concluded in his report. “I believe that decades after the Assad regime, centuries of oppression, fear, segregation, even fragmentation, God is calling us to rise up, preach the gospel, and make disciples among all ethnic and religious groups.
“The current crisis has been devastating, but presents an unprecedented opportunity to reach those who have lost hope in the earthly system and point to eternal hope found in Christ.
“May our heavenly Father, by His Spirit, unite the body of Christ, stand together in diligent prayer and faith, work through love, and lead us to stand together, believing that the kingdom of God will come and be done in Syria, as He is heaven.”
