Persecuted religious minorities in Syria devastated by attacks

As HTS surged into communities, terrorists ransacked and looted homes and businesses. More than 1,300 civilians were killed—entire families massacred, including women and children. Many survivors fled the violence and now remain displaced, facing severe food, water and electricity shortages.

What is happening to persecuted religious minorities in Syria?

Syria had long been under the reign of Bashar al-Assad. Although he committed many human rights violations during his time in power, Syrian Christians and other persecuted religious minorities in Syria found relative stability and predictability under his authoritarian rule. When HTS conquered Assad’s forces and took control of major Syrian cities in December 2024, Christians and other minorities were fearful of the potential changes under the new regime. HTS promised they would not enact radical religious policies, but as time passed, persecution against Christians and other minorities intensified. Militants have attacked churches, desecrated cemeteries, forced Christian women to adhere to Islamic dress codes and confiscated Christians’ homes.

Assad’s forces have pushed back against HTS over the last three months and recently killed 13 HTS militants. The HTS village attacks last weekend are speculated to have been in retaliation for those killings, as Assad is from the Alawite sect. Our Syrian brothers and sisters are caught in a power struggle between these two sides—and there is no ideal outcome in sight.

Although the fighting in these coastal communities has ceased, the impact of the attacks has been devastating for those already living in dire humanitarian situations.

On March 13, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, former leader of the HTS, declared a five-year period of Islamist rule in Syria. Christians, Alawites and other religious minorities, including the Druze and Yazidi communities, have reason to worry about their futures in such an extremist country.

How can I help?

Give: GCR is already serving persecuted religious minorities in Syria on the ground in these coastal communities and working through local partners to distribute critical aid to those in need. Our partners have identified more than 6,500 Christian families in one city alone who need immediate help. Your gift is needed to support these families, allowing them to get life-saving necessities.

Pray: Please join us in prayer for the Alawite communities, who are grieving terrible losses, and for all persecuted religious minorities in Syria. Pray the Lord would bring peace, comfort and provision in this time of need. Pray for our Christian family in Syria, who fear they might be the direct targets of future widescale attacks. Please pray for the relief efforts as well—for wisdom and strength in those working on the front lines. And lastly, please pray for Syria—that the Lord would bring long-lasting healing to the nation. Remember the words of Zechariah 9:10 as you pray: “He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”