Assad Falls: Syria’s Christians Face Uncertain Future Amid Rapid Power Shifts
- Post 08 December 2024
The Assad dynasty has collapsed swiftly, marking a historic turning point for Syria. Statues of Bashar al-Assad and his father have been taken down across the country. Jihadist forces from Idlib advanced rapidly through Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and Damascus. The Druze secured control of the south, while YPG Kurds now rule the northeast. As Syria undergoes a profound transformation, Christians find themselves in a precarious position.
Will the new rulers fight among themselves for total dominance, or will they come together to share power? Will they respect the country’s diverse groups, or will they subject Christians to renewed persecution, oppression, and restrictions on their liberties, triggering yet another exodus? The indigenous Arameans, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, have already suffered tremendous loss in recent decades and now live in fear of what lies ahead.
During President Trump’s first administration, the Middle East experienced a period of relative peace, enabling them to begin recovering from the devastating impacts of war. We now place our hopes in the incoming Trump administration to restore peace and stability to the region, safeguarding decimated and vulnerable communities such as the Arameans.
For over 3,000 years, the Arameans and their endangered Aramaic language — the first world language and the language of Jesus and the Bible — have endured countless rulers, wars, and upheavals. Johny Messo, president of the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs), asserts:
“We must, and we will, adapt to this new geopolitical reality and endure this political transition as well. But endurance alone is not enough. It is critical that the international community recognizes and values the Arameans, and works to ensure that this power shift leads to a stable and inclusive Syria where all citizens, regardless of religion, ethnicity or language, are protected and empowered to thrive.”
The World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) calls on all UN Member States, international leaders, and regional powers to prioritize a fair, UN-led political process that establishes a new Syrian constitution, guaranteeing equality, justice, and protection for all citizens under the law.
Our commitment to reconciliation, unity, and prosperity in Syria is unwavering. We envision a homeland where all ethnic and religious groups coexist respectfully, work together for a more perfect Syria, and build a shared future where the nation’s rich heritage and its people thrive.
The Arameans, native to Southeast Türkiye, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, remain a testament to resilience and faith in their ancestral homeland. The documented history of this forgotten Semitic people and their Aramaic language in Syria goes back to more than 3,000 years. In 2011, the country’s Christians still numbered 8 to 10% of the 21 million total population. Today, however, there may be less than 500,000 Christians in Syria.
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