Aramaic Christians in Maaloula, Syria, Under Attack – Urgent Action Required
- Post 26 December 2024
Maaloula, a historic Aramean Christian town in Syria where the ancient Aramaic language, the language of Jesus, is still spoken, has been under siege by Islamists for the past two weeks. Its Christian population, which has dwindled from 1,000 to fewer than 200 in this short time, now faces an alarming escalation of threats, gunfire attacks, and expulsion.
Over the past week, Islamists have intensified efforts to seize Christian-owned farmland and homes, pushing the last Arameans in Maaloula to the brink. Last night, at 2 a.m., a Christian farmer defending his property faced a life-or-death situation when armed attackers arrived. After being fired upon, he returned fire in self-defense, resulting in the death of one attacker. Despite his actions being backed by clear surveillance footage handed over to Damascus police, extremists are now demanding his surrender for retaliation and openly calling for the ethnic cleansing of Maaloula’s remaining Aramean Christian population.
Curiously, Maaloula has been cut off from the outside world, with no internet or phone connection for hours, leaving its residents isolated and vulnerable. Meanwhile, social media channels are flooded with calls for the expulsion of Christians, intensifying the fear among the remaining population. All its Aramean residents, especially women, children, and the elderly, are deeply afraid to surrender their arms, fearing they will be slaughtered if they do so.
Militants from the Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade of the Syrian National Army, led by Abu Amsha, are raiding homes, intimidating families, and issuing orders for Christians to leave Maaloula, applying relentless pressure to force the last Arameans to abandon their homeland.
We urgently call on the international community to:
• Intervene immediately to ensure the safety and survival of Maaloula’s Arameans.
• Deploy neutral forces to restore law and order in the town, preventing further violence and forced displacement.
• Demand HTS to take responsibility for the safety of Maaloula’s residents.
Johny Messo, president of the World Council of Arameans (Syriacs), warns: “What we are witnessing in Maaloula is a targeted assault on one of humanity’s oldest communities and its priceless heritage. The ongoing deafening silence of the international community is allowing ethnic cleansing to unfold in broad daylight. The time to act is now—before it’s too late.”
In addition to restoring security, we call for a fair political process that establishes a new Syrian constitution guaranteeing equality, justice, and protection for all citizens under the law. This constitution must also recognize and support Syria’s endangered indigenous Aramean population and their Aramaic language, which prevailed in the region until the 12th century. The Greek name Syria is recorded in the Bible under its original ancient Semitic name, Aram.
The Arameans, native to Southeast Türkiye, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, remain a testament to resilience and faith in their ancestral homeland. Their documented history in Syria spans over 3,000 years. In 2011, the predominantly Arabicized Christians comprised 8–10% of Syria’s 21 million population. Today, however, fewer than 400,000 Christians may remain.
Each day without action brings Maaloula closer to losing its people and its unique cultural and spiritual legacy. We call on the international community to act now. Failing to stop this ethnic cleansing will leave an indelible stain on humanity and the credibility of the United Nations.
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