In March 2025 I researched, gathered news and photos, produced maps and filed a report for Heart newspaper covering the terrible atrocities that occurred in Syria in previous weeks. In separating the various types of information I was able to impart a comprehensive understanding of the situation for the readership.
Copy filed:
Why the silence over Syrians’ slaughter?
By Anthony Whelan
Standfirst: Did a faint-hearted Church and media stand by as thousands were massacred?
Critics have accused the Church and the media of timidity in failing to report the massacre of thousands of Alawite and Christian citizens by Syria's new regime.
Political commentator Douglas Murray posted a special video on 14 March to argue that fear was the primary reason for the silence from governments and Western churches: “Fear of being seen as speaking out against Islam is paralysing discourse. But you can’t expect others to speak up for your community more than you are willing to speak up for yourselves.”
The latest conflict erupted when remnants of deposed President Assad’s armed forces launched a military offensive against factions loyal to the new leader, Abu Muhammad al-Julani. Israeli news commentator Amir Tsarfati reported that they killed “about 30 to 40” of Julani’s fighters in an attempt to secure independence for northern Syria. What began as a military engagement quickly escalated into a bloodbath as reprisals ensued.
Word gets out
By 8 March, Tsarfati began sharing reports from Syria. “Just as Hamas did in Israel on 7 October, Julani’s forces filmed their atrocities. They massacred thousands of civilians—up to 2,400 in the first day—leaving piles of bodies in the streets.”
Social media was soon flooded with videos of families, children, women, and the elderly being dragged from their homes and executed. Men were humiliated—forced to crawl or bark like dogs—before being shot.
Tsarfati issued urgent appeals, acknowledging that many of the victims had been enemies of Israel, as allies of Hezbollah and Iran, but insisted that did not justify silence. “On paper, these are my enemies, yes. But I cannot remain silent when a Hamas-style invasion occurs, with gangs storming homes to butcher families.”
On 10 March, Tsarfati thanked his viewers for helping expose the atrocities. Word had spread, prompting the UN Security Council to plan an investigation.
High-ranking Alawites also published an open appeal to the Israeli government after seeing Israelis publicising their plight. Offering to bury decades of hostility, they wrote: “We will welcome you with songs and flowers”.
Realising the damage their bloodthirsty videos had caused, Julani’s forces did not stop the killing but simply demanded their followers stop filming it.
Suggested pull quote: “I cannot remain silent when a Hamas-style invasion occurs, with gangs storming homes to butcher families” – Amir Tsarfati
Church and media gagged
Since the massacre began, until this report went to press, mainstream media coverage has been minimal. News in Western outlets is often filtered through the new Syrian government or moderated reports via Al Jazeera.
One of the few exceptions was CBS News, which featured an interview with John Samara of Ananias House, a support organisation for Middle Eastern Christians and minorities, who confirmed that alongside Alawites, Christians were also being targeted. He verified earlier reports that about 20 armed Alawite militants had been killed but warned that, in retaliation, Christian groups feared they would be next.
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), a religious freedom advocacy non-profit, has reported how Christian families in Tartus were not spared. A priest and his family were among the victims. A Greek Orthodox priest was murdered in cold blood. An entire family—grandparents, parents, and children—was slaughtered in their home. Dozens of men, elderly individuals, women, and even children were executed solely for being Christian.
The violence has destroyed entire towns. The new Syrian regime’s security forces have indiscriminately fired at homes, stormed residences, and insulted inhabitants, calling them “pigs.” Survivors reported that Islamist militants celebrated the massacres and issued direct threats to Christian pastors: “Once we have greater control, you will be next.”
Suggested pull quote: Islamist militants issued direct threats to Christian pastors: “Once we have greater control, you will be next”
NEW SECTION
What has been happening in Syria?
A few days after the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was signed at the end of 2024, Sunni Jihadi Syrian rebels, backed by Turkey and trained in northern Syria, seized the opportunity to assert dominance. Seeing Hezbollah defeated by Israel, they launched an offensive that swiftly—within 48 hours—led to the fall of the Assad regime.
A new leader, Abu Muhammad al-Julani, emerged. Known for his time with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (the Syrian branch of ISIS), he assumed control of Syria and declared himself president. Syria was seen as a liberated nation, and Julani, an unelected president, is perceived as a palatable alternative to Assad, even after reports emerged of the massacres. Former President Biden’s administration abandoned the bounty on Julani’s head as a wanted terrorist.
Only Israel saw Syria’s new leader as a threat to regional security. Its Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, noted that because Julani swapped his jihadi attire for a suit, it did not mean he was not still a jihadi.
Israel sees Julani as a radical Islamist who cultivates a moderate image to the West to secure sanctions relief and aid. The reality for Syrians will be severe; uder Syria’s new constitution, Sharia law will be the sole legal system and the president must be a Muslim.
Douglas Murray concluded, “Speaking out won’t solve the problem overnight. But it would be a start if Western church leaders remembered their persecuted brothers and sisters and actually spoke up for them.”
Add sub-heading:
Turkey's influence
Turkey is becoming increasingly engaged in Syria after facilitating the country's takeover by Sunni jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Shams (HTS). This is going largely unreported due to the domestic unrest in Turkey at the moment, which some speculate is deliberate in order to distract from Turkey's movements in Syria.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel's defence establishment fear developments could lead to direct military confrontation between Israeli and Turkish forces in Syria.
My piece included statistical and other information:
Syria’s minority groups
Syria is home to many minority communities. The most relevant to this crisis include:
Alawites – An ancient coastal tribal people who enjoyed relative security under Assad, as he came from this group. The 1.7 million Alawites primarily live in the northwest, in towns such as Latakia, Baniyas, and Tartus, with some in major Syrian cities. Due to their beliefs, they are seen as ‘infidel’ by Sunni Muslims.
Christians – About 300,000 Christians remain in Syria, mostly Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox. They typically live in and around Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, and Latakia.
Druze – With a unique religious tradition, the Druze have historically faced persecution from both Sunni and Shia Muslims. Numbering around 750,000, they are concentrated in the rural, mountainous areas east and south of Damascus and in the Golan Heights. Living near the Israeli border, many have recently sought and received Israeli protection.
Kurds – Syria’s largest ethnic minority, numbering around 2 to 2.5 million. Approximately one-third live in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains north of Aleppo, with an equal number along the Turkish border.
Find this and other Heart articles here:
https://www.heartpublications.co.uk/this-easter-syrian-christians-face-death-and-starvation/