“Christians in Syria will feel safer if the international community looks out for the minorities”

The fall of the regime of Bashar Al-Asad in Syria has left the country facing a scenario of uncertainty. While the new government presents itself as ‘inclusive’ and respectful of minorities, many analysts recall its past as an Al-Qaeda-linked group.

In recent weeks, the clash between armed groups loyal to Assad and the new government has left a trail of blood and shocking images that have been spread through social media, in many cases without explanation or contextualisation.

This lack of accurate information is what led the organisation Open Doors, which defends persecuted Christians, to issue a statement warning that the spread of fake news about a ‘Christian genocide’ that has not actually happened is a ‘danger’ to Christians.

Spanish news website Protestante Digital contacted Open Doors' Middle East officer, Matthew Barnes, for more information, just a few days after he visited some of the Christian communities in Syria. “We are in contact with hundreds of churches and church leaders, so we are well-informed about what is happening in Syria”, he said.

Question. What is your analysis of what happened a few days ago in Syria?

Answer. On Thursday 3 March, a group supporting the former Assad government attacked the security forces of the new government, which is not yet an official army, but they are the forces that are currently protecting the development of the new government. Assad's supporters attacked them and reportedly killed several dozen people in the Syrian coastal area near Latakia and Tartous.

In reaction, the new government sent in reinforcements. There they started fighting against former Assad supporters, but they also started attacking Alawite civilians. As far as we know, many of them, hundreds, were killed. Some even call it a massacre.

Afterwards, the news came out to the rest of the world, claiming that Christians and Alawites were being slaughtered, but in our opinion that is not true.

Actually, the target was the Alawites. Yes, some Christians were killed, but only a handful—five in total. As far as we know, none of them were killed because they were Christians; they were killed for different reasons.

Q. There are many who fear that this new government, whose leaders have been linked to radical Islam, will become violent towards Christians. Although this is not happening yet, is this fear exaggerated?

A. First I would like to explain how Christians feel after the overthrow of Assad. When he was removed from power, most Syrians were very happy, and the Christians felt relieved. They felt a new sense of freedom.

They remain somewhat optimistic because after more than 50 years of the Assad regime, they could talk about politics in public, without fear of being overheard by the Secret Service.

So on the one hand, Christians are happy with this freedom. But on the other hand, they are cautious and a little afraid because of the background of the HTS group, which is now in power.

Everyone knows that Al-Qaeda is considered a terrorist organization and has done many bad things in the past. Christians fear that similar things could happen in their country. However, they are also pleased that the new government speaks of an inclusive Syria, where there is a place for all minorities, including Christians. Most of them expect that the new government won’t bring drastic changes.

Q. Some people even praise Assad as a protector of Christians. Do you think that is a distorted view of the situation in Syria?

A. Praising him might be a too strong word, but he did protect Christians, or at least they had a special place under his rule. Why? Because he himself came from an Alawite background, which is also a small minority in Syria.

He depended on the support of other minorities, and therefore gave Christians religious freedom to secure their support. But it was not a complete freedom, because they could not speak freely, they had to speak in line with the government’s stance.

That is something you often see in dictatorial regimes; in order to continue to exist, the church has to remain silent.

Q. Regarding the Open Doors statement, you say that the disinformation about the alleged massacre of Christians could affect the Christian community there. Can you explain why?

A. The government knows it is not true, but they could ask who is spreading those stories and why Christians are telling the international media such things. That could damage the relationship of the church with the authorities.

Even if the background to the news is not true, this is a clear sign that what is published in the West can have a negative impact on the church in Syria.

Q. Syria has been hit by drought, war, instability, which has led to a large exodus. Do you think it could happen again?

A. Yes, if the situation worsens and attacks against the Christian community happen again, many more would leave.

In the Latakia region, when the violence happened last weekend, some Christians said that all their friends wanted to leave. We already see it with the Alawites, thousands have fled to Lebanon in the past few days.

Q. What can the international community do to curb instability in Syria?

A. Church leaders in Syria told me last week that it is crucial for the world to keep watching Syria. They believe that as long as the international community looks out for the minorities in Syria and denounces any abuses, Christians will feel safer.

If something like the other week’s events happen again, the global community should condemn it and demand justice.