Despite Syria’s conflict easing slightly in recent years, the challenges facing Christians continue to be numerous and severe.

In areas where Islamic militants are active, leaders of historical churches are particularly vulnerable to attack or kidnap, while most buildings belonging to such groups have been demolished or coopted for Islamic use. For Christians living in these areas, there is little scope for expressing their faith—and many have been forcibly displaced from their homes.

In government-controlled areas, the authorities are tightening their grip on those whom they feel are a threat to social stability—including converts from Islam to Christianity. The attitude of the Syrian government towards churches is determined by the Christian community to which they belong. Although all Christian communities come under pressure, historical churches are in a stronger position to defend their rights than those from non-traditional church groups such as Evangelicals, Baptists and Pentecostals. 

Throughout Syria, pockets of conflict persist, and Christians continue to be caught in the crossfire. In some cases, they’re deliberately targeted—as, for example, in Afrin, where Turkish-backed troops are reported to be targeting Kurdish Christians.

Those who choose to leave Islam to follow Jesus can face intense pressure from their own families, particularly those living in Sunni regions.