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HEMTO, Syria — Christian communities in Hemto (Hama), central Syria, are expressing deep concerns over the recent attack on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese by an armed group. The incident comes amidst heightened fears following Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) assumption of control over the government in Syria.
The attack resulted in the destruction of the archdiocese’s furniture and religious symbols, spreading fear among the city’s residents. According to local sources, the gunmen desecrated Christian symbols, violated the sanctity of the dead, and vandalized graves belonging to Christian families. Images of the desecrated graves circulated on social media, with media outlets confirming their recent origin despite some doubts about their timing.
The HTS security services issued an apology for the incident and assured that the perpetrators would be held accountable. However, tensions remain high, especially after additional reports of harassment against Christians in HTS-controlled areas.
In one notable incident in the Christian village of Kafrbo, located in the Hemto countryside, a priest was reportedly ordered by an HTS armed member to remove the cross he was wearing. This incident contradicts earlier assurances from HTS officials that Christians would be protected and allowed to practice their faith freely.
These repeated “individual cases” have left Syrian Christians deeply concerned about their future. Many fear that ongoing violations could impede their ability to perform religious rituals, display Christian symbols publicly, and live securely in their ancestral homeland.
Christian communities across Syria continue to call for concrete actions to ensure their safety and the preservation of their religious freedoms in the face of growing uncertainty.
