6. Syria
Region
Middle East
Christian population
400 000 (1.5%)
Main relegion
Islam
Main threats
• Dictatorial paranoia
• Islamic oppression
• Clan oppression
• Organised corruption and crime
The situation in Syria for Christians has grown more dire in the last year. Since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 – after ruling Syria for more than 50 years – the country has been controlled mainly by forces led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This is an Islamic extremist group with roots in Al Qaeda. The group has made overtures towards moderation and held talks with representatives of Syria’s traditional Christian communities. Still, it is too soon to know what will come of the new leadership.
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. The resurgence of military operations by the Islamic State group since October 2024 reinforces a sense of insecurity. These include a deadly attack on a church in Damascus in June 2025.
Total score
98%
Pressure
100%
Violence
86.5%
Please pray
-
Pray that believers would lean on God as their “Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26:4) as many live with constant uncertainty in the aftermath of the fall of the Assad regime.
-
Pray for converts from Islam to find love and fellowship even when they encounter rejection by family and friends.
-
Pray for the victims of the Damascus church attack, that their wounds would be healed, and they would feel God’s closeness as they decide how best to live out their faith.