Syrian Christians are targets of massacres. The attacks began when supporters of former president Bashar al-Assad launched an assault on the Alawite stronghold of Latakia, followed by a brutal crackdown targeting both civilians and armed forces.
Newsroom (11/03/2025 Gaudium Press) Between March 6 and March 10, 2025, nearly 1,000 Syrian civilians were killed in the ongoing violence. Among the victims, many were Christians. The attacks began when supporters of former president Bashar al-Assad launched an assault on the Alawite stronghold of Latakia, followed by a brutal crackdown targeting both civilians and armed forces.
Fear Among Syrian Christians
“Christians fled immediately,” shared a Lebanese nun running a nursery in Baniyas. The violence escalated quickly, with reports of innocent people, including a priest’s father, being killed in cold blood. Despite the fighting coming to a halt, the atmosphere remains one of fear, as bodies remain uncollected in the streets, signaling the ongoing terror faced by the local population.
Sectarian Violence, Ethnic Massacres
The violence, blamed on both foreign jihadist groups and local militias, has devastated the Christian community along the Syrian coast. Marist Brother George Sabé described the situation as a “real ethnic massacre,” particularly affecting those who are not Sunni. This massacre has fueled a desire among many Christians to leave the country due to the constant fear of violence and persecution.
The Call for International Intervention
Brother Sabé and other religious leaders argue that international pressure is essential to end the ongoing violence. They advocate for the removal of jihadist groups and demand justice for the atrocities committed, emphasizing that the reality on the ground contradicts the assurances of safety given by the Syrian government.
Christian Leaders Unite for Peace and Reconciliation
In response to the massacre, leaders of the major Christian denominations in Syria have called for an end to the violence. Patriarchs Yohanna X, Youssef I Absi, and Mar Ignatius Ephrem II united in a joint statement denouncing the killings and demanding national reconciliation. They emphasized the need for a society based on equality and citizenship, calling for peace and justice to prevail.
Concerns from the Apostolic Vicariate of Syria
The Apostolic Vicariate of the Latins in Syria also expressed its concerns, joining the global outcry against sectarian violence. In a statement, Msgr. Hanna Jallouf condemned the attacks and called for an end to sectarian reprisals, stressing that such violence is incompatible with human, moral, and religious values.
Compiled by Donna Smolders
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