SYRIA COUNTRY PROFILE
Religious freedom for Christians and other religious minorities in Syria has declined since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 and the rise of Ahmed Al-Sharaa, former leader of the “notorious” 195 Islamist militant group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). 196 President Al-Sharaa’s transitional government quickly assured Syria’s Church leaders that Christians were an integral part of the country’s society. 197 A Christian woman 198 was appointed a government minister and when the new President met faith minority leaders he hailed the dawn of “a new era far removed from sectarianism." 199 However, a constitutional declaration giving primacy to Islamic jurisprudence 200 prompted observers to warn of government intent to Islamize the country. 201 Such fears began to be realized amid growing intolerance to non-Islamic practices such as the sale of alcohol, with the regional application of fundamentalist rules and the presence in the streets of bearded Salafist militia. 202 Attacks climaxing with the deadly June 2025 suicide blast during a Sunday church service in Damascus 203 raised fears of a return to religious-based violence against Christians. Allegedly pro-Assad Alawites emerged as the target of attacks in coastal towns the previous March. 204 Reports suggested a resurgence of Daesh (ISIS) sleeper cells. 205 Al-Sharaa’s regime was criticized for an apparent failure to clamp down on attacks and “control armed Sunni groups that had supposedly joined its security forces." 206 The deteriorating situation raises increasing concerns about the long-term future of the Christian presence. Since 2011, the Christian population has declined by more than 80 percent, 207 with migration driven by factors including poverty and insecurity. Up to 90 percent of the total population live below the poverty line and 7 million are displaced. 208 of the Rosary hanging in his car. Mr. Tekla parked his car outside his home in Murhradah, western Syria, when, as apparently shown in video footage, he got out and was shot at point-blank range. Sources linked the attack to Islamic extremism. 211 MARCH 2026 Churches scaled back Easter celebrations after scores of armed men descended on Al-Suqaylabiyah, a predominantly Christian town in Hama Governorate. Reports, including video footage, showed acts of vandalism, theft, targeting of cars, shops and property. Residents demanded compensation and called for perpetrators to be brought to justice. Churches condemned the incident, saying attacks targeting the Christian community cannot be dismissed as “individual incidents." They warned against the dangers of sectarian tendencies being fueled by such violence. 212
SELECTED INCIDENTS
DECEMBER 2024 A Christmas tree in Suqaylabiyah, a Christian-majority town in central Syria, was set alight, prompting protests by Christians across the country alleging infringement of their religious rights. 209 JUNE 2025 A suicide bomber struck on Sunday, June 23 during Divine Liturgy at Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Dweil’a, near Damascus. Witnesses told state media that 25 people died and 63 others were wounded when a gunman entered the church and opened fire on the congregation before detonating an explosive vest. The Syrian Interior Ministry blamed Daesh for the attack. 210
FEBRUARY 2026 21-year-old Christian Eliah Simon Tekla was shot dead, having been allegedly targeted because
36 | Persecuted and Forgotten?
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