Christians in Syria face ‘uncertain, perilous future’ under HTS,
persecution watchdog warns

By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor Sunday, December 08, 2024

Anti-government gunmen gather outside Damascus's historic Umayyad
Mosque in the Old City on Dec. 8, 2024, after Islamist-led rebels
declared that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning
offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five
decades of Baath rule in Syria.

Anti-government gunmen gather outside Damascus's historic Umayyad
Mosque in the Old City on Dec. 8, 2024, after Islamist-led rebels
declared that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning
offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five
decades of Baath rule in Syria. | SAM HARIRI/AFP via Getty Images
Christians in Syria confront an uncertain and perilous future under
the control of Islamist-led rebel forces, a human rights group has
warned. The city’s minority Christian population, significantly
diminished by years of civil war, now grapples with fears of
escalating threats and restrictions.

Islamist rebel forces, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which is
designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and U.K., captured
Aleppo about a week ago, followed by Homs and Damascus late Saturday
night in a sweeping offensive that toppled Syrian government forces.
Bashar al-Assad resigned and left the country on a flight to Russia on
Saturday night.

Since Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham's takeover of Aleppo, many Christians have
fled, leaving behind a small but resolute group trying to maintain
their faith and traditions.

“The coming days and weeks will be crucial for the fate of [the]
Christian community," said Jeff King, president of International
Christian Concern, in a statement shared with The Christian Post.
"Christians, with roots stretching back nearly two millennia, now face
an uncertain and perilous future.”

Bread shortages have worsened, and drinking water remains unavailable
in several areas, Catholic News Agency reports as being among the
hardships residents are facing.

Curfews imposed by the militant group from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. further
restrict daily life, leaving many residents, including Christians,
feeling confined and vulnerable. Small vans distributing free bread
and water in some neighborhoods offer limited relief.

A key highway between Damascus and Aleppo has also been blocked,
leaving residents with only a congested and hazardous alternative
route, according to CNA.

The isolation has claimed lives, including that of Dr. Arwant
Arslanian, a Christian physician killed by sniper fire while
attempting to flee the city, reported the Facebook page of Armenians
of Syria.

A bus carrying young Christians was also stranded on the Aleppo Road,
later finding refuge at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese.

Many Christian leaders have remained in the city, providing spiritual
guidance and practical support to their communities.

Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan Bishop Mor Boutros Kassis and other
Christian leaders have been communicating through social media where
they held prayers and liturgies. They are encouraging Christian
residents to face the reality with awareness, courage and faith, he
was quoted as saying.

Franciscan Father Bahjat Karakach, representing the Latin Church,
acknowledged, “The Church knows no more than the people do.” It’s up
to individuals and families to decide if they want to stay or leave
Aleppo, he stressed. “No one can make it on behalf of another. We
friars are staying and waiting to see how things unfold,” he was
quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the Islamist faction, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, has pledged
to protect civilians, including Christians. HTS leader Abu Mohammed
al-Jolani visited Aleppo’s citadel and stated, “Aleppo has always been
a meeting point for civilizations and cultures, and it will remain so,
with a long history of cultural and religious diversity,” as reported
by Al-Monitor.

Despite assurances, fears persist among Aleppo’s estimated 30,000
Christians, down from hundreds of thousands before the Syrian conflict
began in 2011.

Switzerland-based group Christian Solidarity International responded
to the assurance given by HTS, saying, “HTS’ ideology and history give
religious minorities in Aleppo serious reason to doubt these
promises.”

HTS has often targeted Christians throughout Syria in violent attacks
and kidnappings, repeatedly killing Christian civilians and
confiscating their property, CSI explained.

“In the Salafist worldview that animates HTS, Christians are not
heretics to be destroyed (like the Alawites and the Druzes), but
‘people of the Book’ — followers of religions that were revealed
before the coming of the [Islamic] prophet Muhammad. In lands ruled by
Islam, they should be made dhimmis — a protected people who are kept
in legal subjugation and pay an additional tax called the jizya,” CSI
continued.

“Until now, HTS has avoided imposing dhimmi status on Christians in
Idlib by referring to them as musta’min, or temporary residents,” the
group acknowledged. “But how long will HTS maintain this distinction?”
CSI asked.

However, Archbishop Boutros Marayati of the Armenian Catholic Church
sought to reassure worshipers during a Mass, telling them, “Do not
fear, dear brothers. We have received assurances from all parties.
Continue living normally, and everything will remain as before, even
better,” as quoted by AL Monitor.

The Christian community in Aleppo has historically aligned with the
Syrian government, which President Bashar al-Assad, a member of the
Alawite minority, has positioned as a protector of minorities.

The rebel takeover represents a dramatic shift, stirring memories of
prior persecution during the Islamic State’s reign over parts of
Syria. IS systematically targeted Christians, destroying churches and
engaging in mass kidnappings before being defeated in 2019.

Source:
<https://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-in-syria-face-perilous-future-watchdog-warns.html>
--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com

For information about why crossposting is (usually) good, and multiposting (nearly always) bad, see:
http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/unice.htm#xpost

It’s not just Christian lives, people: *ALL* lives matter.

On Tue, 10 Dec 2024 08:40:24 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro
<ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:

>It’s not just Christian lives, people: *ALL* lives matter.

So they do, but in some situations some lives are more vulnerable than
others.

--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com

For information about why crossposting is (usually) good, and multiposting (nearly always) bad, see:
http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/unice.htm#xpost

On Tue, 10 Dec 2024 20:23:25 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:

> On Tue, 10 Dec 2024 08:40:24 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro
> <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
>
>>It’s not just Christian lives, people: *ALL* lives matter.
>
> So they do, but in some situations some lives are more vulnerable than
> others.

Who are the most vulnerable? Ones which are seen as allied with
oppressors, current and former, perhaps?

Like the Allawites, the group that the Al-Assad family comes from?

Why would Christians be seen as a threat? Surely not, unless perhaps they
were supporting the atrocities that Israel has been committing ...

On Sun, 15 Dec 2024 21:55:55 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro
<ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:

>On Tue, 10 Dec 2024 20:23:25 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 10 Dec 2024 08:40:24 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro
>> <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>>It’s not just Christian lives, people: *ALL* lives matter.
>>
>> So they do, but in some situations some lives are more vulnerable than
>> others.
>
>Who are the most vulnerable? Ones which are seen as allied with
>oppressors, current and former, perhaps?
>
>Like the Allawites, the group that the Al-Assad family comes from?
>
>Why would Christians be seen as a threat? Surely not, unless perhaps they
>were supporting the atrocities that Israel has been committing ...

Not a threat, just as inferior species to be eliminated, in the eyes
of Islamists, which the new rulers of Syria have the reputation of
being. In much the same way as all Muslims are seen as inferior being
to be eliminated in the eyes of Christianists, of whom there have been
some in Lebanon (I don't know about Syria), called phalangists.

--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com

For information about why crossposting is (usually) good, and multiposting (nearly always) bad, see:
http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/unice.htm#xpost

On Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:45:43 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:

> ... just as inferior species to be eliminated, in the eyes of
> Islamists, which the new rulers of Syria have the reputation of being.
> In much the same way as all Muslims are seen as inferior being to be
> eliminated in the eyes of Christianists, of whom there have been some in
> Lebanon (I don't know about Syria), called phalangists.

Basically, everybody else is an “inferior species” in the eyes of any
religion that says their god is the only true god, all other gods are
false?

On Dec 16, 2024, Lawrence D'Oliveiro wrote
(in article <vjq5iu$1aari$1@dont-email.me>):

> On Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:45:43 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
>
> > ... just as inferior species to be eliminated, in the eyes of
> > Islamists, which the new rulers of Syria have the reputation of being.
> > In much the same way as all Muslims are seen as inferior being to be
> > eliminated in the eyes of Christianists, of whom there have been some in
> > Lebanon (I don't know about Syria), called phalangists.
>
> Basically, everybody else is an “inferior species” in the eyes of any
> religion that says their god is the only true god, all other gods are
> false?

In my workings, anyone who believes that all those outside
their religion (or sometimes even denomination) are eternally
damned is at at least the mild end of medium criminal and
will miss out on the extra long lifespan benefits of the
sudden magickal physical evolution unless they change
that belief.

--
David Dalton dalton@nfld.com https://www.nfld.com/~dalton (home page)
https://www.nfld.com/~dalton/dtales.html Salmon on the Thorns (mystic page)
“And now the angry morning; Gives the early signs of warning; You must
face alone the plans you make; Decisions they will try to break" (S. McL.)

On Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:20:30 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro
<ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:

>On Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:45:43 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
>
>> ... just as inferior species to be eliminated, in the eyes of
>> Islamists, which the new rulers of Syria have the reputation of being.
>> In much the same way as all Muslims are seen as inferior being to be
>> eliminated in the eyes of Christianists, of whom there have been some in
>> Lebanon (I don't know about Syria), called phalangists.
>
>Basically, everybody else is an “inferior species” in the eyes of any
>religion that says their god is the only true god, all other gods are
>false?

If you say so.

I won't ask you how you know that, but bow to your superior knowledge
as a member of a superior species.

--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com

For information about why crossposting is (usually) good, and multiposting (nearly always) bad, see:
http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/unice.htm#xpost

On Tue, 17 Dec 2024 10:23:48 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:

> On Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:20:30 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro
> <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
>
>> On Mon, 16 Dec 2024 09:45:43 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
>>
>>> ... just as inferior species to be eliminated, in the eyes of
>>> Islamists, which the new rulers of Syria have the reputation of being.
>>> In much the same way as all Muslims are seen as inferior being to be
>>> eliminated in the eyes of Christianists, of whom there have been some
>>> in Lebanon (I don't know about Syria), called phalangists.
>>
>> Basically, everybody else is an “inferior species” in the eyes of any
>> religion that says their god is the only true god, all other gods are
>> false?

Ever wondered why “Crusade” is a bad word in the Middle East, even unto
today?

On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 00:30:25 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro
<ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:

>Ever wondered why “Crusade” is a bad word in the Middle East, even unto
>today?

Yes.

Have you?

And, just in case you hadn't, FWIW "crusades" were an earlier form of
Western imperialism, which is still a problem in Syria today.

PS They weren't the earliEST, Alexander the Great and the Romans were
somewhat earlier.

--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 08:36:44 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:

> On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 00:30:25 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro
> <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
>
>>Ever wondered why “Crusade” is a bad word in the Middle East, even unto
>>today?
>
> Yes.

It’s because of what Christians did. And, through, Israel, what they
continue to do.

On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 19:50:07 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro
<ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:

>On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 08:36:44 +0200, Steve Hayes wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 19 Dec 2024 00:30:25 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D'Oliveiro
>> <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>>Ever wondered why “Crusade” is a bad word in the Middle East, even unto
>>>today?
>>
>> Yes.
>
>It’s because of what Christians did. And, through, Israel, what they
>continue to do.

Syrian Christians were in no way responsible for the Crusades. The
Crusades were what Westerners did and it was done to them (the Syrian
Christians).

--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com

For information about why crossposting is (usually) good, and multiposting (nearly always) bad, see:
http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/unice.htm#xpost

COncur, I don't wish them harm, but they are liable.

First, the Ba'ath Party of Saddam and Assad was founded by an Orthodox
Christian Michel Aflaq and many of the followers were allied with Hitler. And
the PLO was founded also by an Orthodox Christian George Haddad who was
clearly a soviet agent. Andropov and Mitrokin archives betray the PLO
informed the soviets of all their terrorist activities. Further Alois Bruner,
the grand nazi atrocitor of the Balkans, died as a houseguest of the Assads.

--
Vasos Panagiotopoulos panix.com/~vjp2/vasos.htm
---{Nothing herein constitutes advice. Everything fully disclaimed.}---