Why are Christians being killed in Syria?

An outbreak of violence in Syria last week claimed the lives of more than 1000 people after clashes between government loyalists and supporters of former dictator Bashar al-Assad spiraled into a series of revenge killings. The violence began in Syria’s coastal region, home of the Alawite sect. Although the clashes began between militant forces, hundreds of those dead were civilians. 

Reports indicate that members of minority religious groups, particularly the Alawites but possibly including Christians, have been specifically targeted, likely for their association with the former regime. Several Christians are among the dead, with believers in Syria fearing more widespread persecution to come after the Alawite massacres.

Syria is a majority Sunni Islamic nation, while the Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shia Islam incorporating elements of Christianity and Gnosticism. The Assad family is Alawite, and the sect became associated with the Assad regime’s atrocities during Syria’s decade-long civil war. 

After an al-Qaeda-linked rebel group ousted Assad late last year, fears of Sunni revenge killings accompanied the change of regime. These fears appear to have been realized, with government loyalists speaking of “purifying the country” and conducting “widespread field executions” that have not distinguished between civilians and members of armed groups. 

Why Christians are particularly vulnerable

It is unclear whether the government loyalists carrying out these massacres are acting at the direction of Damascus or on their own initiative. Interim President Ahmad al-Shaara was a key figure in the Sunni rebel group that ousted Assad, but his government has promised protection for minority communities. 

Shaara has also promised to hold those responsible for civilian massacres accountable. Whether he will do so remains to be seen. 

Syria’s Christian population is one of the oldest in the world. During the civil war, Islamist violence caused most of its 2.5 million believers to flee the country, with only around 300,000 remaining. In addition to considering believers infidels, Islamist groups opposing Assad associated Christians with his regime, which was comparatively more tolerant and secular than the government of most Islamic countries. 

This association with the Assad regime may soon make them targets for reprisal violence alongside the Alawites and other minorities if it hasn’t already. Syrian Christians are particularly vulnerable to Islamist violence, as they are known to be unarmed and committed to nonviolence. Christian converts from Islam are also uniquely vulnerable, as their rejection of the Islamic faith makes them targets for militants. 

Persecution is nothing new

When we see that our brothers and sisters are endangered for the sake of our faith, we must pray for them. Scripture tells us to “remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them” (Hebrews 13:3), and to “make supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). Prayer has power, and God is faithful to supply everything believers need to face trials for His sake. (Philippians 4:19) 

Persecution for Christ’s sake is nothing new. Jesus came to his own people, who rejected him (John 1:11). He reminded his disciples that, as his followers, they would face the same challenges he did, including hardship and persecution–“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18). 

Nevertheless, Jesus has “overcome the world,” and we can take comfort in his sovereignty and care. (John 16:33) Whatever we face, He is present with us and will help us endure whatever trials this life brings. 

Let us keep our Syrian brothers and sisters in our prayers, along with all those caught in this latest wave of violence. Pray that God would strengthen and encourage his church and that his kingdom would advance even in the darkest and most uncertain of circumstances.