Evangelical leader says US must protect Syrian Christians from attacks by jihadi terrorists

The Fall of Assad and the Rise of a New Regime in Syria
In a dramatic turn of events, Syria’s political landscape has undergone a seismic shift. Former Syrian President Bashar Assad, who had clung to power for over a decade amidst a brutal civil war, was toppled in December by a coalition of forces led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, a controversial figure with a murky past. Al-Sharaa, a former member of al Qaeda and currently the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a U.S.-designated Sunni terrorist organization, has assumed the role of interim president. His rise to power has raised alarms among human rights advocates and religious leaders, who fear for the future of Syria’s vulnerable minority populations under an Islamist-led government.

A Devastating Massacre and the Failure of Leadership
Last week, Syria witnessed a horrific massacre that left over 1,000 civilians dead, including Christians, across several days of violence. The carnage unfolded under the watch of al-Sharaa’s regime, which has been criticized for its inability—or unwillingness—to protect its citizens. Christian leaders and human rights activists have expressed deep skepticism about the new government’s commitment to democracy and its capacity to safeguard religious minorities. Rev. Johnnie Moore, president of The Congress of Christian Leaders, slammed the regime’s failure, stating, "This is a warning that the Syrian government is not ready for prime time if it can’t protect a handful of vulnerable Christians who had absolutely nothing to do with this violence except being its victims."

Promises of Accountability Fall Flat
In the aftermath of the massacre, al-Sharaa issued a statement vowing to "hold accountable, firmly and without leniency, anyone who was involved in the bloodshed of civilians." He claimed that no one would be above the law and that justice would be served to those responsible. However, these words ring hollow to many observers, who point to the regime’s Islamist ideology and its ties to extremist groups. Rev. Moore dismissed the rhetoric, calling it a clear demonstration of the government’s failure to fulfill its most basic duty: protecting its citizens. He also highlighted the role of foreign fighters, either acting under the regime’s direction or operating with impunity, in the indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, including Christians.

The Islamist Agenda and Its Implications for Minorities
The rise of an Islamist regime in Syria has sent shockwaves through the region, with many fearing the erosion of religious freedoms and the persecution of minority groups. Rev. Moore warned that while the new government may not be ISIS, it is deeply rooted in Islamist ideology, which he believes poses a significant threat to religious minorities. Al-Sharaa’s own past as a member of the Islamic State further exacerbates these concerns. The Christian community in Syria, which has already been decimated by over a decade of war, is particularly vulnerable. Prior to the conflict, there were 1.5 million Christians in Syria; today, that number has dwindled to an estimated 300,000.

International Response and the Danger of Normalization
The international community’s response to the situation in Syria has been widely criticized, particularly by human rights advocates. European governments, in particular, have come under fire for their willingness to engage with and support the new regime. Rev. Moore highlighted the timing of the UK’s decision to waive sanctions on the Syrian national bank and other entities, just 24 hours before the massacre, as a troubling sign of normalization. He called on the United States to take a firm stance, urging the Biden administration to send a clear message to the new Syrian government: there will be no sanctions relief or normalization until it proves its ability to protect all Syrians, including vulnerable Christians.

A Call to Action and the Future of Religious Freedom in Syria
The situation in Syria serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of religious freedom and the dangers of unchecked extremism. Rev. Moore and other advocates have long sounded the alarm about the plight of Christians in Syria, who have been targeted by various factions throughout the civil war. With the rise of an Islamist regime, the stakes have never been higher. The international community must take a stand, insisting that any support for the new government be conditional on its ability to protect all citizens, regardless of faith or background. The alternative is a Syria where religious minorities are subjected to further persecution, and the light of religious freedom is extinguished forever.