The European Syriac Union (ESU) has issued a grave warning, appealing to the international community over the sharp rise in attacks against Christians in Syria. In a statement released September 20, 2025, the ESU described incidents in rural Homs, Al-Qusayr, and parts of Damascus as “organized, systematic violence aimed at a specific religious identity.” Within a single week, Christians endured armed robberies, kidnappings for ransom, torture, shootings, and deliberate arson. One of the most shocking attacks came on September 18, when the home of Selim Wakim was set ablaze while women, a child, and an elderly man were trapped inside. Though they survived, their house was destroyed. The ESU declared that what remains of the Christian presence in Syria is being deliberately driven toward displacement, putting their very survival at risk.

The crisis is particularly acute in Damascus neighborhoods under the so-called “Interim Government,” where churches, families, and homes face daily threats. Local activists echoed the ESU’s appeal, insisting that raising awareness of this plight is now “an existential necessity.” The ESU also condemned the Syrian state for dismissing these reports as “baseless rumors,” accusing the government of allowing, and in some cases enabling, these armed groups to operate. Such negligence, the ESU argued, emboldens perpetrators and deepens the suffering of communities who have lived in these regions for centuries.

In response, the ESU called on the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and other democratic nations to take swift action. Recommendations include applying diplomatic and political pressure, dismantling armed networks, and imposing sanctions such as visa bans and asset freezes. The Union also urged international investigations and immediate humanitarian aid to shield civilians from further harm. Stressing that targeting people for their faith constitutes a crime against humanity, the ESU warned that international silence amounts to complicity. Solidarity with Syria’s Christians, it concluded, is not only about protecting one community but about preserving the hope of peace and coexistence for all Syrians.

SOURCE: Syriac Press