Attacks on Christian Towns in Syria Spark Protests
Recent assaults on Christian towns in Syria ahead of Palm Sunday have ignited protests demanding a firmer response from the Syrian government against religious violence.
A confrontation between two men escalated quickly. Men from a Sunni Muslim town entered Skyrabiya, a mainly Christian area, damaging homes, businesses, and vehicles until the early hours of March 28. There were no immediate reports of casualties following this incident, which occurred after the collapse of the regime led by Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. President Ahmed al-Sharah, previously part of an Islamic militant group during the Syrian conflict, has since taken control.
Residents from surrounding towns have frequently come to Skyrabiya, sometimes bothering local girls and provoking the youth. According to a translation of a post by Samir Seifan, an economist from a Middle Eastern country, one individual visiting removed a bomb but was subsequently attacked by locals and required hospitalization. Authorities arrested four local men after intervening in the situation.
About two hours later, those who attacked rode into Skyrabiya on motorbikes, forcibly entering homes and businesses while discharging firearms and setting off explosives.
Riyan Dware, who owns a clothing store that was heavily damaged, shared that his family experienced “a state of fear, fear and panic.” Furthermore, Suriyak, which tracks civil war developments in Syria, shared videos believed to show the assaults. One clip appears to show men arriving on motorcycles and attempting to break into a shop before gunfire erupts. Another video reveals homes being vandalized amid crowded streets.
Nafeh al-Nader reported that an area of his house was set ablaze, and a neighbor was attacked while trying to call for assistance. Although the incident was eventually subdued by government forces, protests broke out on March 28, with residents demanding accountability for the attackers.
In solidarity with Skyrabiya, protests also took place in Damascus, a city with deep-rooted connections to Christianity. Tensions nearly led to violence until Bishop Romanos al-Khanat reminded participants that Syria belongs to all its inhabitants.
Christian persecution groups indicate that Syria will experience the most significant rise in persecution of Christians worldwide in 2025, ranking it as the sixth worst country for Christians. With around 300,000 Christians in Syria facing increased violence and uncertainty since the Assad regime’s fall, experts assert that the new government’s constitution fails to adequately protect religious minorities.
Al-Shara’s resistance group, Jabhat al-Nusra, was previously linked to al-Qaeda until 2016. Following a lengthy civil war, they replaced Assad, creating an unstable environment. Ryan Brown, CEO of Open Doors US, has noted the challenges that face both the country and its people, emphasizing the necessity of societal stability founded on shared values.
