Minorities Fear Persecution in a Post-Assad Syria

Why a swift fall of the Syrian regime may be disastrous for the Assyrians

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (ANS) -- “While much of the rest of the world is waiting for the Assad regime in Syria to crumble, some Syrians, while not supporting the brutal dictatorship, still dread the prospect of a rapid disintegration of the Syrian state power. One such group is Assyrian Christians, who make up around 5 percent of the Syrian population. “There is great concern and fear among the Assyrians. Many think they will have to leave the country as soon as possible should the regime suddenly fall as a result of the uprising,” says Rima Haro, a political scientist and Middle East expert, herself of Assyrian origin, living in Sweden.”

So wrote By Aron Lamm in the Epoch Times (www.theepochtimes.com).

File photo of Iraqi Assyrians in Damascus, Syria, wearing traditional dress to celebrate the New Year (Photo: Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images)

Lamm said that the Assyrians are an ethnic group, traditionally spread out over Syria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and Turkey, but with a large diaspora in other parts of the world.

As Christians in the Muslim-dominated Middle East, they have faced rounds of persecution throughout history, and just like the Kurds, they have not had a nation-state as a homeland.

One country, with a large Assyrian population is Sweden. Over 100,000 Assyrians live here, particularly in the city of Sodertalje, about 19 miles south of the capital Stockholm, he went on to say. Out of 80,000 inhabitants in Sodertalje, more than 20,000 Assyrians are a core part of the community.

“Haro, 36, has been an interpreter and journalist, and worked for the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before becoming a local politician in Stockholm,” Lamb continued. “She is an example of why the Assyrians are considered one of Sweden’s most well-integrated immigrant groups.”

Born of an Assyrian mother and an Armenian father in the northeastern Syrian town of Qamishli, she moved with her family to Sadertalje when she was 10 years old. Like many other Assyrians in Sweden, she is very worried about the current situation in her homeland.

“To be perfectly honest, I dread the prospect of a regime collapse,” she said. “I have relatives and friends living there, and I fear for what will happen to them. It will be Iraq or Egypt all over again,” she added, referring to the persecution of Christians following both the fall of Saddam Hussein and Hosni Mubarak.

“The several areas where most Christians in Syria live have been relatively quiet, but some Christians, like so many other civilians, have been caught in the crossfire in the brutal siege of Homs recently,” wrote Lamm. “Haro hasn’t heard of Christians being persecuted in particular, however.

“Haro strongly emphasizes that she in no way supports dictatorship and says that democracy is ‘the best thing in the world.’ But the fact remains that the Assyrians, with a long history of religious persecution behind them, have had a relatively easy time under Assad, compared to many of their brethren in other countries in the region. If the regime would simply crumble, she, like many Assyrians, fear an even worse bloodbath than the one taking place right now, in the ensuing power struggles and retaliations.

“Furthermore, should fundamentalist forces from the majority Sunni population come to power in Syria, the risk of religious persecution seems obvious to the Assyrians.”

Haro, said the journalist, has met many Iraqi Christian refugees in her work as an interpreter, and for them, the persecution that followed in the civil war after the disintegration of Saddam’s rule has been a disaster.

Haro says that a similar development in Syria would be a worst case scenario. “We are not too far from that situation right now,” she said.

Lamm added, “A peaceful group, largely content with enjoying their religious freedom and not being persecuted, the Assyrians have never challenged the Ba’ath Party’s authority. This is also a reason why they have enjoyed relative peace and quiet under the Assad regime, Haro says. Unlike the Kurds, who have carried on an armed struggle for decades, the Assyrians do not pursue dreams of a homeland.”

“The Christians in Syria have been very compliant, and in return, their rights have been guaranteed. This has been incredibly important for them,” she said.

“Now, however, the Assyrians, like other minorities in Syria, find themselves caught in a bind, Haro says, If they choose not to support the uprising, they may be viewed as regime loyalists and face persecution should the uprising succeed; if they side with the opposition and the regime stays in power, they risk retaliation from the regime.”

“I feel really sorry for the minorities right now. They don’t know which way to turn,” she said.

Lamm said that Haro is very disappointed over the international community’s and most of the Western media’s stance, that the swift fall of the Assad regime is the only option. She hopes that United Nations-led mediations will be able to break the deadlock and open up for a more peaceful development.

“We need dialogue. Some people say ‘It’s impossible to have a dialogue with the Assad regime.’ But I think we need to try not only once or twice, but three, four or 10 times. People’s lives are at stake,” she said.

Lamm concluded his story by saying that the best case scenario in Haro’s opinion would be if the regime could be convinced to instigate reforms, and eventually to hold free elections. As long as the violence ends and martial law is revoked, years of difficult negotiations would be preferable to an even worse bloodbath.

“It will take a long time, and it’s an incredibly complicated situation. It will not be easy to convince the Assad regime to surrender power to anyone else, but I would still like to see all possible options of mediation tried before any attempts at a military solution,” she said.

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Dan Wooding, 71, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for 48 years. They have two sons, Andrew and Peter, and six grandchildren who all live in the UK. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS) and was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. He now hosts the weekly “Front Page Radio” show on KWVE in Southern California which is also carried throughout the United States. The program is also aired in Great Britain on Calvary Chapel Radio UK and also in Belize and South Africa. Besides this, Wooding is a host for His Channel Live, which is carried via the Internet to some 192 countries and also provides a regular commentary for Worship Life Radio on KWVE. You can follow Dan Wooding on Facebook under his name there or at ASSIST News Service. Dan has recently received two top media awards -- the Passion for the Persecuted award from Open Doors US, and one of the top "Newsmakers of 2011" from Plain Trust magazine. He is the author of some 44 books, one of which is his autobiography, “From Tabloid to Truth”, which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, press this link. Wooding, who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, has also recently released his first novel “Red Dagger” which is available this link.

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Syria's Assad to be left alone?

(Photos by PanARMENIAN Photo)

Syria (MNN) ― The Syrian government rejected the Arab League's call for President Assad's resignation, defending their brutal crackdown on rebels as an obligation. In response, Arab nations actually appear to be stepping down.

Gulf Arab states announced yesterday that they are withdrawing from the Arab League's observe mission in Syria, reports BBC News.

At this point, it seems unlikely that the Arab League or any individual Arab nation will try to step in again, says Tom Doyle, Middle East/Central Asia Director of E3Partners.

"[Because] Syria is such a strong Arab nation, I think the other Arab nations risk isolation from Syria. In that area, they all need each other," explains Doyle. "Eventually, probably what's going to happen is it will all be a lot of talk for nothing."

Months of talk have lifted the hopes of rebels in Syria, but those hopes are dying. "They feel forgotten. They expected a coalition of nations to come against the dictator, much like happened in Libya, and it hasn't happened." And Doyle says it likely won't.

The bloodbath has cost at least 5,000 lives in the last 10 months. It seems unlikely that any nation will step in unless it gets much worse, says Doyle. Essentially, it seems Assad will hold onto power unless forced out of it.

It's an interesting position for believers. Although Assad's regime has been violent, the government has laid off Christians as of late.

"Through this revolution, the pressure on believers has let up because I think the government has seen that the church, the believers, are not a threat--they're not trying to overthrow Assad," explains Doyle. "So the pressure that's normally been on them--which has been fairly intense in the last five years--has kind of lessened."

If a rebel-run government were to take over, things could get much worse for Christians. Unsure of what's to come, believers are taking advantage of this interim time to boldly preach the message of Christ.

"We've seen an upsurge in the Gospel. People are desperate; they're frustrated; they have lost a lot of hope. This is prime soil for the Gospel to just flourish." Seeds are being sown, and a harvest of both Alawites and Muslims is growing.

Above all things political, pray for the church in Syria. Pray that believers would continue to boldly proclaim the hope found only in Christ. Pray that Syrians would cling to this truth. 

No good solution for a suffering Syria

(Story photo by Beshr O. / Cover photo
 courtesy Delayed Gratification.)

Syria (MNN) ― A suicide bombing that killed at least 26 people on Friday is being blamed on the Syrian government.

The suicide attack looked like the work of terrorist rebels in the polarized Syria, but the opposition has accused the government of staging the attacks in an attempt to sway the Arab League's decision regarding Assad's regime.

Syria was in uproar for nearly all of 2011, a conflict which has now spilled into 2012. Thousands of lives were reported lost, but since Western reporters are not permitted inside Syria, no one outside the nation can be certain of the number of attacks or deaths, or who exactly is being targeted.

Despite that, much of the media has taken a side.

"One of the great paradoxes of our experience with media on this issue is that they have been portraying many of these revolutions as pure and democratically-motivated just to bring freedom," points out Carl Moeller, President and CEO for Open Doors USA.

Syrian dictator Bashar Assad has certainly done awful things to his people, says Moeller, but what the alternative to his regime will be--if and when Assad falls--has perhaps not been thought through.

"Unfortunately, those that are taking the lead to overthrow him promise a return to a more Sharia influenced, pure Islamic rule," says Moeller.

The situation does not look good for Christians either way.

No one is sure to what degree Christians are being persecuted now, although Moeller says Open Doors has received several reports from their contacts that Syrian believers are deathly afraid of what's to come. They have not been cared for under Assad, but if a strictly Islamic government takes over in his place, Christians will almost certainly face direct persecution.

For now all we can do is wait, watch, and pray. But Moeller does have some predictions.

"The situation will continue to deteriorate until other Arab countries step in and help create some sort of stable transition. I think the dictator, Assad, will have to go."

Pray for a moderate government if this does happen, rather than the Sharia-infused government being suggested by revolutionaries.

Whatever happens, Moeller urges Christians to speak up for the persecuted church in Syria. The nation made the 2012 Open Doors World Watch List for the persecuted church, ranking as the 36th worst in the world. Advocate by urging government officials to consider all sides of the current issue in Syria and to do everything in their power to care for the religious rights there.

Amid the severe turmoil, trauma and fear, the Gospel is still spreading in Syria. Muslims unnerved by Muslims killing Muslims are coming to Christians with questions. Pray for the church to grow even in this volatile time. 

Pressure heats up for Assad

(Cover photo by Saleem Homsi.
 Story photo by Teresa Forn.)

Syria (MNN) ― Despite an ongoing investigation thrusting members of the Arab League right into the heart of the fighting in Syria, violence has not let up.

The Arab League has been threatening Syrian president Bashar Assad for months now and is finally in Syria assessing the situation. Since members of the League have been in the volatile nation, fighting has not only continued, but the Arab Parliament has actually advised the League members to leave Syria for their own safety, according to BBC News.

Tom Doyle with E3 Partners has been providing updates on the Syrian conflict since it began in early 2011. Doyle says now, "It is bloody, and we keep getting reports from our E3 leaders in Syria that say some of the things happening in broad daylight in the middle of the streets are unspeakable."

The Local Coordination Committee, an umbrella group of activists, has reported that since December 21--less than two weeks ago, 390 people have been killed. The total death toll throughout the clashes between Assad's regime and civilian rebels has surpassed 5,000.

Despite the treacherous outlook, the international response to the violence is growing stronger by the second. French president Nicolas Sarkozy reportedly demanded that Assad step down in a statement he made yesterday. On Monday, Israeli Defense Ministrer Ehud Barak went as far as to say that Assad only had "a few weeks" left to control Syria, according to Agence France-Presse.

Even as violence continues, Doyle agrees that Assad cannot hold on much longer.

"There's a Sunni majority within the country, and they've always despised the whole Alawite control of the government. But I think it's all come down to that fight. And I really just don't know if Assad is going to be able to hang on through this.

There is so much international outcry, and if there's international assistance, I think his days are over."

The Alawites, an Islamic sect in Syria, make up a mere 20% of the nation, says Doyle. Assad's family is Alawite, but the majority of the population is made up of Sunni Muslims. Those facts combined with extreme international pressure could push Assad to boiling.

There can only be speculation as to what will happen then.

In the midst of the turmoil, E3 Partners has seen tremendous church growth. The ministry has repeatedly heard of Muslims knocking on the doors of Christians in the night, looking for someone who is not taking part in the violence. 

Muslims all across the Middle East are hungry for Truth, says Doyle, and many have already come to Christ underground.

Fervent prayer is needed in Syria. Pray for boldness for the church, for guidance and stability for the nation, and for heart change among the people. You can also get behind specific church leaders working in Syria at the E3 Partners Web site. 

Sanctions, suspension unlikely to mean change in Syria

(Photo by Syriana)

Syria (MNN) ― Amid a myriad of accusations against Syria has come a new label. The U.N. recently dubbed President Bashar al-Assad's behavior toward protesters as "crimes against humanity."

The BBC reports that the title was given for investigations claiming Assad had ordered the torture, sexual assault, and murder of citizens, including children.

The reports have come out just days after the Arab League suspended Syria and decided to move forward with sanctions. Assad has been called upon by a number of nations to stop his harsh tactics, or even to relinquish power.

Assad is undeniably under pressure, but it's hard to say if the pressure is making any difference at all.

"I think it's causing Bashar Assad to just put the pedal down and even go harder and faster to try to get this thing over, and get back his full control," observes Tom Doyle, the Middle East/Central Asia Director for E3Partners.

"I think with the Arab League suspending their membership, that's pretty significant. It's only happened two other times: recently with Libya with all the killing going on there, and then after Egypt made a peace treaty with Israel, their membership in the Arab League was suspended," notes Doyle. "This sends a signal. I don't think, in the end, it will do anything."

If in fact the pressure does get to Assad, however, Doyle fears the worst. Assad out of power leaves the door open for far worse fates.

"Believers now are very, very nervous about the changeover if it would come, just because it might be a worse group than Bashar Assad," explains Doyle. "There are some hard-line radical Muslim groups that are fighting him. If they get control, it will even be worse than it is right now."

Zooming out even further, if Assad does leave, Syria is not the only nation that will be affected. Hezbollah has promised a coup in Lebanon.

An anonymous source "close to Hezbollah" told news network al-Arabia that since Hezbollah and Assad are allies, Hezbollah will respond negatively in Beirut if Assad falls. The Jerusalem Post reports, "The source said that Hezbollah would seek to fortify itself in the nation's capital in order to defend itself against the threat posed by Israel, which may feel emboldened enough following the fall of Assad to launch an offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon."

Hezbollah is expected to have the support of the Free Patriotic Movement behind them as they take even more control than they have now in Lebanon.

At that point, as differences shine brighter than ever between surrounding nations, says Doyle, "About the only unifying factor that could bring them together is a war with Israel. And I think if you look at Zechariah 12, it says that there is a regional war coming sometime."

The potential consequences of Assad's fall could be devastating. Thus, believers feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. If the dictator leaves, the nation could be taken over by radicals and even lead to war. If he stays, more could be killed. Assad is thought to be responsible for at least 3,500 deaths since protests began in the spring.

"Recently, talking with believers, they've felt less pressure [under Assad]. Because I think the government sees they're not a threat to the government," says Doyle, "many of the believers are thinking the best solution at this point is probably for Assad to stay, believe it or not."

As terrible as things have been for many under the current regime, the church has been thriving. Doyle says as Muslims watch Muslims turn on each other, they are coming to Christians for answers. Entire families are coming to Christ.

It's a catch 22 in Syria whether Assad stays or goes. Pray for strength for believers whatever happens, and for the church to continue to move forward.