12 Syria
Persecution Type
- Dictatorial paranoia (Very strong)
- Islamic oppression (Very strong)
- Clan oppression (Strong), Organized corruption and crime (Strong)
- Christian denominational protectionism (Medium)
Christian population
579,000
Government
Presidential republic; highly authoritarian regime
Main Religion
Islam
Leader
President Bashar al-Asad
What does persecution look like in Syria?
Despite Syria’s conflict easing slightly in recent years, the challenges facing Christians continue to be numerous and severe.
In areas where Islamic militants are active, leaders of historical churches are particularly vulnerable to attack or kidnap, while most buildings belonging to such groups have been demolished or coopted for Islamic use. For Christians living in these areas, there is little scope for expressing their faith—and many have been forcibly displaced from their homes.
In government-controlled areas, the authorities are tightening their grip on those whom they feel are a threat to social stability—including converts from Islam to Christianity. The attitude of the Syrian government towards churches is determined by the Christian community to which they belong. Although all Christian communities come under pressure, historical churches are in a stronger position to defend their rights than those from non-traditional church groups such as Evangelicals, Baptists and Pentecostals.
Throughout Syria, pockets of conflict persist, and Christians continue to be caught in the crossfire. In some cases, they’re deliberately targeted—as, for example, in Afrin, where Turkish-backed troops are reported to be targeting Kurdish Christians.
Those who choose to leave Islam to follow Jesus can face intense pressure from their own families, particularly those living in Sunni regions.
What changed this year?
The level of opposition facing Christians in Syria has broadly remained the same. The key headline from the past year is the devastating earthquakes, which have added to the challenges faced by many Christians. Open Doors’ long-term support for the church through a decade of war and persecution has meant that local churches—many of them Centers of Hope supported by Open Doors—were equipped to immediately serve their local communities and show the love of Jesus.
How can I pray?
- That God will continue to help His people to be salt and light following last year’s devastating earthquakes
- That believers from Muslim backgrounds will draw strength from the Holy Spirit as they face opposition for choosing to follow Jesus
- That the Holy Spirit will give relief and refreshment to Syrian Christians who have endured so much over the last decade.
