Christian groups warn of genocide amid escalating violence in Syria

The violence against Christians in Syria has significantly intensified, especially following the fall of former dictator Bashar Al Assad. A group known as the Eagles of Antioch, consisting of 500 volunteers, emerged in Damascus to protect Christian communities from attacks and vandalism amid the rising instability. The Christians living in the capital have faced threats and violence primarily from foreign factions rather than the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which has reportedly assured the communities it controls of a desire for coexistence. Despite this, Christian organizations are alarmed at increasingly severe persecution and what they describe as a systematic erasure of Christianity in the region. Reports have revealed a disturbing pattern of violence against Christians since December, coinciding with HTS's rise to power. These reports include murder, property seizures, forced displacement, and coercion to convert to Islam under threat. Christian families are being expelled and their merchant activities impeded by extortion. Major Christian organizations, alongside various Zionist groups, have condemned the violence and called for sanctions against Turkey, emphasizing the need for military protection for Christian properties as they assert their right to exist without fear of radical elements. The disturbing situation has drawn criticism of the international community, which many argue has remained silent or inactive amid the unfolding atrocities against Christians in Syria. Activists claim the erasure of Christianity from the Levant is not just a loss of heritage; it poses a real threat to the safety of religious minorities. The global Christian community is urged to take a stand against the persecutions and not to view the situation as a mere spectator event. There are encouraging signs of solidarity among the Christian communities, with local groups like Eagles of Antioch taking active measures to protect their identity and ensure security in their neighborhoods, despite the overarching anxiety felt by the community. Nevertheless, the fear of escalating violence continues to loom large, indicating a state of perpetual uncertainty for Christians in Syria, who now find themselves at a critical juncture in their fight for survival and recognition.