Christians in northern Syria in a difficult situation

“As we approach the blessed holidays of Christmas and New Year’s, we ask for your support. We have entrusted to you our Christian families who have been displaced from Ras al-Ayn, Afrin, and other areas. Your help is still needed. Although the Archdiocese is tirelessly caring for them, the difficult economic situation continues to place a heavy burden on us. Students and poor families are particularly affected by this situation. We therefore ask for your help and support for those who need it most. May you continue to be a source of hope for the poor and needy.”

This is what Archbishop Maurice Amsikh of Jazira and Euphrates, based in al-Hasakah, wrote to the ISHR in an email dated November 4, 2025.

Following the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024, the HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – Committee for the Liberation of the Levant), known as a terrorist organisation, under its leader Abu Mohammed, tore through the country. Al-Julani—now calling himself Ahmed al-Sharaa again—wields power. Although he led his terrorist militia with an iron fist, he himself is considered to be part of moderate Islam due to his background—his father was an opponent of radical Islam. Al-Sharaa emphasises that he wants to create a Syria for all citizens, “one that is in harmony with the history and nature of the region .” However, doubts are warranted for various reasons as to whether he can lead Syria into a modern future where human rights are respected. On March 13, 2025, a new—albeit provisional—constitution was proclaimed, according to which all citizens have equal rights regardless of their religion, gender, or ethnicity. The joy of reading this is short-lived, however, as it is contingent on Sharia (Islamic law) being the source of legislation. The other uncertainty concerns how much power al-Sharaa actually wields as interim president in his country and where its limits lie. In northeastern Syria, Kurdish forces, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, have seized control, where they have fought fiercely against the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) in recent years. They have no confidence in al-Sharaa’s government, which has been tasked with mediating the conflicts between the Kurdish and Syrian factions. The military was sent to the religious minorities of the Druze and Bedouin in the province of Suwaida, thus further fueling the conflict.

Well-filled Christmas bags for families in need © ISHR

Unrest is particularly high in the al-Hasakah region: The high-security prison there, which is repeatedly attacked by scattered IS cells, housed approximately 12,000 IS fighters at the end of last year. And the al-Hol camp, located further northeast, is causing concern for moderate Muslims and members of non-Muslim minorities alike: The number of IS fighters escaping from prisons, being freed through raids and attacks on prisons, and blending into the local population as “sleeper cells” is growing. Kurdish guards at the al-Hol camp report having discovered secret weapons caches and tunnels during a raid. Furthermore, a new generation of IS fighters is emerging: Children born there are being systematically Islamized and trained to kill.

Before the Syrian civil war, the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Jazira and Euphrates had approximately 50,000 to 60,000 members; today, that number has dwindled to about half. While during the civil war it was primarily young men who fled the country fearing conscription, now it is young families who are leaving, concerned about their children’s future and freedom under an Islamic regime. As some flee or emigrate, Christian refugees from critical regions like Afrin and Ras al-Ayn are settling in al-Hasakah. They have little prospect of establishing themselves given the dire economic situation and the new political climate. Without work or income, they are dependent on the diocese’s support. Last year, on the recommendation of the archbishop, ISHR representative Khalil Al- Rasho visited 300 families, roughly half refugees and half impoverished local families. Each family received a food package and another with hygiene items, with a total value of €30. Everyone was incredibly grateful that someone had made the journey to eastern Syria to help and, through this initiative, to draw attention to the plight of persecuted Christians, especially at Christmas. We plan to repeat this initiative this year.