Syria has a historic Christian community. All Christians face a harsh and pervasive security apparatus (as do all Syrians), leading to self-censorship. But Christians from other denominations, and especially those from Muslim backgrounds, face great danger. They are treated with suspicion by the authorities, and risk being disowned or even killed for bringing ‘shame’ on their families.  

Though most of Syria is now under government control, in some parts of the country, pockets of conflict with rebels continue, and Christians are caught in the crossfire. Many of these rebel groups are composed of Islamist extremists. They forbid public expressions of the Christian faith and have demolished or taken over most church buildings and monasteries, even those belonging to the traditional Christian community. The legacy of the takeover of Syria by the Islamic State group can still be seen. Large numbers of Christians left their place of origin to go to other majority Christian areas as IDPs or have left the country. While some believers have returned to rebuild their lives and communities, there are still far fewer than there used to be.  

In areas controlled by Kurdish forces, there has been more tolerance, with people allowed to legally become Christians. But Turkish forces invading these areas have committed terrible violence against Christians and Yazidis, raiding and destroying Christian communities that were previously safe.