Latest news with #SyrianChristians
Khaleej Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Syria's Christians ask 'why us?' after suicide bombing at Damascus church
Syrian Christians were struggling on Monday to understand why their community was targeted in a suicide attack and whether they can rely on the Islamist-led government's assurances of protection. Syria's health ministry said the toll from Sunday's attack on the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood had risen to 25 dead and more than 60 wounded. The interior ministry said the suicide bomber was a member of Islamic State who entered the church, opened fire and detonated an explosive vest. There was no claim of responsibility by the Islamic State group. The interior ministry spokesperson said on Monday that security forced raided Islamic State hideouts in Damascus and the countryside of the capital, Syrian state news agency Sana reported. Those included the hideout of the group that attacked the church a day earlier, the spokesperson said. On Monday, funeral announcements were posted on the door of the church. Members of the security forces stood outside it and other churches. "I wonder why they target us. We had no interest in any of the events that happened in our country. We have no interests besides Syria living in peace," said Bassim Khoury, a Christian resident of Damascus. "We did not carry weapons, we did not stand against anyone. We did not ask for government positions. None of us wants to become president, no one wants to run the government... Why would this happen to this peaceful people?" The attack fed fears among Syria's minorities that their communities are more exposed to attacks and harassment since Islamist-led rebels toppled former leader Bashar al-Assad in December. In March, hundreds of Alawites - the minority from which Assad hails - were killed in Syria's coastal provinces and dozens were kidnapped and killed in Damascus. In May, an armed raid on a Damascus nightclub and the killing of a woman at another venue led some bars to close. Christian residents of Damascus told Reuters that Muslim sheikhs had come to their neighbourhoods in the last six months to urge them to convert to Islam and to stop consuming alcohol. SECURITY CONCERNS The violence has prompted questions about whether Syria's new rulers have full control over armed elements despite promises by Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa - formerly a member of Al Qaeda - to rule inclusively for all of the diverse religious and ethnic groups. "We're in a country that must protect everyone," said Jean Bahri, another Christian resident of Damascus. Nibras Youssef, from Dweila, said people has already been on edge over the security situation, in which armed men and boys who said they were official security force members produced no relevant identification papers. "You see a 13-year-old holding a weapon and you cannot say anything to them," said Youssef. Sharaa expressed his condolences, calling Sonday's attack a "criminal bombing that hurt the whole Syrian people". Several Syrian ministers, as well as church leaders and other foreign officials, condemned the attacks. Candlelit vigils and church services were held elsewhere in Syria in solidarity with the parishioners at Mar Elias.
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Damascus Church Bombing Kills 15 Syrian Christians
The oldest Christian population on Earth continues to be under threat of extinction, after the US-Gulf-Israel war of regime change in Syria, and former President Bashar al-Assad's overthrow on December 8 of last year. On Sunday, a suicide bomber entered St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church and detonated while a service was happening, killing at least fifteen – according to early reports (alongside possibly a second attacker) – and leaving many more wounded. The church is now a bloody mess, and personnel at the scene have struggled to identify body parts. The church is in an ancient Christian neighborhood that lies outside the Damascus old city's Bab Sharqi, and is in an area of many churches, chapels, and Christian cemeteries. Some initial reports said it may have been a car bomb, but regional sources as well as the popular regional account War Monitor indicate that 'A suicide bomber blew himself up with an explosive belt inside the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Elias in the Douileh area of Damascus, Syria.' And Reuters notes that 'It was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by an Islamist-led rebel insurgency in December.' Reuters says at least 20 people were killed and dozens more injured, amid conflicting emergency response reports. A Middle East church source, Syriac Press , describes: According to eyewitness reports, a gunman wearing an explosive vest stormed the church and opening fire. He then detonated his explosive vest. The attack prompted immediate intervention by civil defense teams and medical personnel. Victims were evacuated to hospitals in Daramsuq, where an alert was issued to handle the influx of injured. Ambulance teams worked to secure the area while local security forces cordoned off the site, blocking neighborhood entrances as a precaution against potential further attacks. The Church of Mar Elias, a prominent Christian landmark in the region, holds significant spiritual and historical value for the local community. Journalist Hussam Hammoud, reporting from the scene, described in the aftermath that 'Many of the victims are civilians and children, and security forces prevent journalists from entering the site.' Worst nightmare for Syrian Christians begins: Suicide bombing today during Divine Liturgy at Mar Elias church.. just outside of Bab Sharqi near Old Damascus. At least 15 dead & rising. My-father-in-law's funeral/memorial was here many years ago. Been to this beautiful community… — Brad Hoff (@BradRHoff) June 22, 2025 Years ago, during the height of the anti-Assad insurgency, this all-Christian neighborhood of Damascus was on the front line of conflict as it is next to Jobar district, which was at the time occupied by al-Qaeda. That was a period of sporadic artillery fire launched indiscriminately on the oldest Christian parts of the Syrian capital. The Baathist government of Assad was quasi-secular and protected the region's Christians, as well as other religious 'minorities'. Christian leaders have feared that since Jolani and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's (HTS) takeover, they no longer have protection, and it could become 'open season' on attacking churches. Hundreds of thousands of Syrian Christians with means have left their homeland after some 14 years of brutal war. There are concerns that HTS security forces may be interfering with the crime encircled St. Elias Church shortly after the urgently need international investigators on the ground — with the support of Greece and Cyprus — to ensure transparency and justice. — Greco-Levantines World Wide (@GrecoLevantines) June 22, 2025 President Trump recently lifted sanctions on Syria, but did absolutely nothing to protect the Syrian Christians – or Druze and Alawites for that matter, who have been massacred in large numbers lately, especially along the coast near Latakia. Back in 2015 when a jihadist coalition, with Western support, took over Idlib province – one of the first acts of the bearded so-called 'liberators' was to execute Christians and kidnap an Orthodox Christian priest. A recent book, Syria Crucified: Stories of Modern Martyrdom in an Ancient Christian Land, has recounted the story of how Idlib's ancient Christian community was wiped read: Syrian Flight RB 502 Enroute From Sharjah To Damascus Rerouted To Saudi Arabia's Tabuk Airport
Herald Malaysia
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Christian Syrians joyful, cautious about possible end of sanctions
On Tuesday May 1, US President Donald Trump announced the lifting of economic sanctions against Syria, a measure repeatedly called for by local churches and NGOs, and by the Syrian people. However, Syrian Christians remain cautious and want to continue to ensure that the right of every community 'to May 16, 2025 Syrians rejoicing in Damascus (AFP or licensors) By Jean-Benoît Harel'This announcement came so quickly: we weren't expecting it; we were surprised,' says Father George Sabé from the city of Aleppo in northern Syria. On Tuesday 13 May, during his visit to Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump announced the lifting of US sanctions against Syria, to give the Middle Eastern country 'a chance for greatness.' Demonstrations of joy broke out across the country, notably in Damascus on Umayyad Square, where dense crowds gathered on Tuesday evening. 'It's a great joy for us' Put in place when Syria was living under the Al-Assad regime, US sanctions had plagued the lives of the country's inhabitants especially since the start of the war in 2011, although the first sanctions were imposed as far back as 1979. 'This affects the daily lives of Syrians, so it's a great joy for us,' the Marist priest continues. However, caution is called for, he stresses. 'It is a hope that is coming true,' he says, while noting that Syrians are keeping a wary eye on developments. 'We are like watchmen.' First, he explains, because of the quid pro quos that America is likely to demand in exchange for this easing, or even the lifting, of sanctions. Second, because, as Father Sabé insists, in addition to rebuilding the country with essential infrastructure such as roads and hospitals, 'We need to think about rebuilding the human person, relationships, forgiveness and justice." The watchman's attitude The place of minority religious communities is another issue that needs to be clarified. 'We will continue to call for the application of justice and respect for each community to live in dignity, according to its own values,' Fr Sabé affirms, recalling once again the image of the watchman: 'A watchman does not allow himself be lulled to sleep because there is good news; a watchman is someone who watches over values'. When the new government came to power in December 2024, the United States adopted a wait-and-see attitude, refusing to end sanctions immediately because of concerns about respect for human rights and minorities in the region. At the request of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed ben Salmane, US President Trump hastened to align himself with the position of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada. A concrete timetable for the lifting of sanctions has not yet been announced, and a vote by the US Congress may be required before the ban is lifted.--Vatican News
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Christian watch group rises up to protect community amid growing violence in Syria
FIRST ON FOX: The growing violent attacks and killings in Syria under the Islamist rule of the new regime led by Ahmed al-Sharaa have put the country's Christian community on edge, with many fearing for their future. "The situation for Christians in Syria has reached a critical threshold, and I'd argue they're teetering on the edge of catastrophe," Jeff King, the president of International Christian Concern, told Fox News Digital. "A jihadist storm is beginning to rain down on them and, so how long can faith hold?" King added. While King's organization has been actively helping persecuted Christians in Syria as well as globally for years, a group of Syrian Christians in the country's capital, Damascus, known as the Eagles of Antioch, came together to defend their communities and religious identity following the fall of former Syrian dictator Bashar Al Assad. Evangelical Leader Says Us Must Protect Syrian Christians From Attacks By Jihadi Terrorists The group's importance is even more significant, given the attacks by Islamic extremists earlier this month that resulted in the death of hundreds of the minority Alawite community as well as several Christians who were targeted due to their faith. Read On The Fox News App The "Eagles of Antioch," is a volunteer organization made up of around 500 volunteers, operating within three primarily Christian neighborhoods in Damascus. They watch over Christian areas from dusk to dawn, patrolling the streets and protecting Christian shrines from attack. Danial Georgios, a construction engineer living in Damascus, spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital about the group's work in Damascus neighborhoods. Georgios, 30, and his Eagles of Antioch want to fill in the security gap until tensions ease. "We want to be represented. We no longer accept the idea of being marginalized or treated like a second-class citizen," he told Fox News Digital. "We look at ourselves that we are equal to the Muslim, the Alawite, and every single Syrian citizen," he added. The group derives its name from the ancient city of Antioch, reflecting their deep-rooted connection to the Antiochian Patriarchate. Members hail from three main Christian denominations: Antiochian Greek Orthodox, Antiochian Melkite Catholics and Antiochian Syriac Orthodox. Members of the group patrol their communities, protecting Christian holy sites, including shrines, symbols and churches. If a site is damaged or vandalized, the group will repair it themselves, hoping to avoid an escalation into sectarian conflict between the Christian community and their Sunni neighbors. They advocate for a system based on strong municipalities, or extreme local governance, enabling Christians across Syria to manage their own affairs and celebrate their religious festivals without fear of persecution. Since emerging, the group has successfully protected liquor stores, churches, shrines and residences from theft and vandalism, according to the Eagles of Antioch. Georgios and his peers were spurred to action in December after a Christmas tree was lit on fire in Al-Sqailbiyyah, just outside Hama. Radical jihadists, according to Georgios, were responsible for the vandalism. Following the incident, He and his fellow Christians organized a mass peaceful protest inside Damascus, chanting for equal rights for all Syrians. "We want to internally be able to police our area," Georgios said. However, he stressed that any actions taken are in coordination with the HTS government and will not impact the sovereignty of Syria or challenge its rule. Even if HTS is capable of providing full security in Damascus and other minority communities around Syria, Georgios said the group will not dissolve but would be open to joining state-sponsored local police forces under the authority of HTS if the political transition continues. "We want to be represented, and we no longer accept the idea of being marginalized or treated like second-class citizens. We look at ourselves that we are equal to the Muslim, the Alawite and every single Syrian citizen," Georgios said. Uncovering The Atrocities Of The Assad Regime At Its 'Death Factory' On The Hil Since Assad fell and HTS took power, Georgios claims that most of the attacks against Christian communities were carried out by foreign factions or radical elements, and is not government sanctioned. Despite reports and accusations that HTS members have been targeting Christians, he claims, "It's not HTS at all, HTS is trying to avoid any clashes with Christians. HTS is now the state and we as Christians try to support stability," Georgios asserted. HTS promised not to target religious minorities during their lightning path to seizing Damascus and toppling Assad. The group made assurances to the communities they controlled that they would allow religious minorities to peacefully coexist and would not be targeted for their faith. Yet, King's organization isn't as hopeful. "Since HTS toppled the Assad regime in December 2024, the environment has been precarious at best. But the bloodshed that unfolded March 6-10 in Latakia and Tartous represents a frightening escalation. According to the Syrian Observatory, the violence claimed over 1,540 lives—predominantly civilians, with reports indicating between four and a dozen Christians among the casualties." He continued, "While HTS hasn't yet implemented an official anti-Christian policy (they're treading carefully thinking about public perception as they solidify control), certain factions and individual fighters are already targeting Christians with violence." King's organization noted that the new interim Syrian constitution states, "The religion of the President of the Republic is Islam," Article III declares, and "Islamic jurisprudence is the principal source of legislation." The group says that "this language is slightly starker than Syria's previous constitution, which cited Islamic law as simply one source among others." International Christian Concern (ICC) also noted that the interim constitution also guarantees protection "for all divine religions." The ICC wrote that the document "seems to indicate that the government intends to tolerate Christians and other religious minorities." And there are some encouraging signs according to the Eagles of Antioch, who say they coordinate closely with HTS in Damascus, according to Georgios, benefiting from the presence of educated HTS fighters in the city. This collaboration ensures that Islamic rules are not imposed on Christian neighborhoods. Together with HTS police, they work to prevent crimes, maintaining security and harmony within these communities. Some of the volunteers have weapons that are licensed and sanctioned by HTS officials. They communicate and coordinate with them and provide information on the people who committed any crimes. Yet despite some positive signs, King said, "Syria's Christian population has already experienced a devastating decline, dropping from 1.5 million before the conflict to somewhere between 300,000 and 500,000 now. The community exists in a state of perpetual anxiety, doors locked, waiting tensely for the situation to deteriorate further," he article source: Christian watch group rises up to protect community amid growing violence in Syria
Gulf Insider
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
West-Backed Jihadists in Syria Massacre Over 1000 Alawite & Christian Men, Women & Children
After several days of radical Sunni Islamist militants targeting religious minorities in Syria for mass killings, mainly in coastal areas, the mainstream media has belatedly begun to cover it (as the killings are growing to the point of getting too hard to ignore). Some correspondents estimated that there are thousands dead and wounded, mostly Alawites but also Syrian Christians among them, as post-Assad Syria unravels under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's (HTS) Jolani. 'The death toll from two days of clashes between Syrian security forces and loyalists of ousted President Bashar Assad and revenge killings that followed has risen to more than 1,000, a war monitoring group said Saturday, making it one of the deadliest acts of violence since Syria's conflict began 14 years ago,' The Associated Press reports. The jihadists, which include foreign fighters as well as ruling HTS members, in some cases are simply going into the homes of non-Sunnis and massacring whole families. The terrorists haven't been shy about uploading their killings on the internet as well as in livestreams. Men, women, children, and even babies are being brutally murdered. More on the jihadist terrorist regime's massacres of Alawite families"The attack was swift and merciless. The militants stormed the apartment, slaughtering the family without hesitation"👇 — OstensibleOyster (@Ostensiblay) March 8, 2025 'The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in addition to 745 civilians killed, mostly in shootings from close distance, 125 government security force members and 148 militants with armed groups affiliated with Assad were killed. It added that electricity and drinking water were cut off in large areas around the city of Latakia,' AP continues. But instead of calling out the obvious ethno-religious genocide unfolding, the European Union had the audacity to issue this statement: The European Union strongly condemns the recent attacks, reportedly by pro-Assad elements, on interim government forces in the coastal areas of Syria and all violence against civilians. This is incredibly shameful. — Sam Noble (@TricycleRepair) March 9, 2025 But the truth has been summarized by a priest of the Eastern Orthodox Church, which is the predominant Christian faith of Syria and the Middle East. 'As you see the unfolding tragedy in Syria, keep in mind, this is your tax dollars at work. This was brought to you by the US government, the State of Israel, and Turkey. They said Assad was bad. This is what they replaced Assad with,' Priest John Whiteford said on X. Syria has once again become a warzone as HTS insurgents open fire on Alawite homes in Homs. They're murdering people based on their race. — Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 6, 2025 Gruesome images of bodies piled up on streets in and around Latakia have been widely circulating – many of them too disturbing to republish. Fox has underscored that Tulsi Gabbard was right once again… Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's warning of a terrorist takeover in Syria looks to be coming true amid reports that al Qaeda-linked terror forces aligned with Syria's interim new president—a former al Qaeda terrorist—are being accused of massacring Alawites as well as members of the country's dwindling Christian community. …At Gabbard's Senate confirmation hearing she said 'I have no love for Assad or any dictator. I just hate al-Qaeda. I hate that our leaders cozy up to Islamist extremists, calling them 'rebels', as Jake Sullivan said to Hillary Clinton, 'al Qaeda is on our side in Syria.' Syria is now controlled by al-Qaeda offshoot HTS, led by an Islamist Jihadist who danced in the streets on 9/11, and who was responsible for the killing of many American soldiers.' 🚨🇸🇾 📍 Jableh: Terrorists in the jihadist regime shoot & throw grenades at restaurant & Alawite homesReports indicate they murdered the restaurant owner & his entire — OstensibleOyster (@Ostensiblay) March 8, 2025 So far Damascus has remained relatively quiet, but in areas where there are no media cameras, particularly countryside areas of Syria – the jihadists are going on a murderous rampage. Sadly it looks to get worse. When the Syrian 'revolution' began 14 years ago the jihadists were chanting to slaughter Alawites and other minorities and later attacked Christian/Druze towns like Maaloula and Adra killing many. They were always bloodthirsty orcs and now they rule Syria. What did you expect? — Hadi (@HadiNasrallah) March 8, 2025 Entire Alawite families have been massacred, such as the below… Meanwhile Syrian Christians fear they are next to be targeted on a large-scale. Their warnings have largely fallen on deaf ears in the West… This book is the result of years of Syrian Christians warning what's coming. We collected the interviews from 2015-2020. Last words to me of a priest in Damascus while we sat on Straight Street: "We are a church of martyrs & we will stay." #Syria is home. — Brad Hoff (@BradRHoff) March 9, 2025 Click here to read more
