Syria

How are Christians persecuted in Syria?

• The past year has seen a sharp increase in violence, including the murder of Christians, forced closure of Christian schools and attacks on churches – including the bombing of a church in Damascus in June 2025.

• “The trauma of what happened hit us all hard. We have mixed feelings of anger and question why this had to happen again. We thought getting rid of the previous regime would give us some sense of freedom, yet it seems there are still people who only believe in killing.” – Mourad*, Open Doors local partner.
• Converts from Islam can face persecution and opposition from their families and communities – including violence, disinheritance forced married or forced divorce. Women may even be murdered for their faith, in so-called ‘honour’ killing.
• Women from religious minority groups, including Christians, risk abduction, sexual harassment and rape. Christian men are likely to face discrimination in the workplace – denied jobs or promotions because of their faith.

Why are Christians persecuted in Syria?

• Christian communities are targeted by violence, discrimination and marginalisation because of their lack of political and military power, and because their persecutors perceive Christians to have ties to the West and to the deposed Assad regime.
• Since the regime change, widespread instability has led to deadly clashes that have affected other religious minorities, particularly Druze and Alawites, with Christians caught in the crossfire.

Who is particularly vulnerable in Syria?

• The greatest pressure lies in Damascus and Aleppo where – despite the cities’ historic Christian presence – growing hostility from conservative Muslim communities and extremist groups brings discrimination and danger.
• Christians who convert from Islam or Druze beliefs are particularly vulnerable to pressure and persecution from family and community, especially in Muslim-majority areas.

What has changed in Syria in the past year?

• Syria has risen 12 places on the World Watch List, largely due to a spike in violence. Syria is now at its most dangerous since so-called Islamic State occupied significant swathes of territory.
• Since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Christians have waited to see what the impact on the faith community would be – and, despite some promising signs, the situation is now incredibly dangerous. The country has been mostly controlled by forces led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This is an Islamist extremist group with roots in Al Qaeda.
• In June 2025, Saint Elias Church in Damascus was bombed. At least 22 people were killed and more than 60 injured – and threats of repeat attacks were later graffitied on other churches in the region.

• “This bombing wasn’t merely at a Damascus church; it was a blow to the heart of every Syrian Christian who witnessed the brutal martyrdom of their brethren,” says Juliette*, a local Open Doors contact.

How can I help Christians in Syria?

• Please continue to pray for believers in Syria. Your prayers are making an enormous difference for Christians courageously following Jesus.

Open Doors local partners in Syria help strengthen believers through Bibles and Christian literature, discipleship training, trauma care, relief aid, microloans and other socioeconomic help.