Syrian Christians Shelter in Church as Suwayda Violence Grows
Suwayda, Syria – July 29, 2025, More than 250 Christians have sought refuge in the Capuchin Church of Jesus the King in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda, as sectarian violence between Druze and Bedouin communities intensifies, threatening the safety of minority populations caught in the crossfire.
The ongoing conflict has forced around 60 to 70 Christian families to flee their homes and seek safety within church compounds, fearing for their lives amid rising chaos. Despite the religious identity of those involved Druze, who follow a syncretic faith rooted in Shia Islam, and Bedouins, who are Sunni Muslims analysts say the violence appears to be driven more by political and tribal grievances than religious ideology.
Tensions escalated recently following the murder of a Christian convert from the Druze community, along with 11 of his family members. While exact circumstances remain unclear, sources indicate the killings were likely motivated by his ethnic background rather than his faith.
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The crisis has drawn regional attention, with Israeli forces reportedly carrying out strikes in support of the Druze, many of whom reside in Israeli-occupied territories and serve in the Israeli military.
Conditions inside the Capuchin Church compound are dire. According to reports provided to the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), those sheltering within the church are facing severe shortages of food, water, and electricity. Armed groups continue to loot supply warehouses, while shelling and sniper fire remain a constant threat outside.
“In recent days, the church compound was hit by intense shelling,” one eyewitness told ACN. “A shell struck the monastery, damaging water tanks and shattering windows. Miraculously, no one inside was harmed.”
Another witness described life under siege: “Sniper fire makes it impossible to leave. Sporadic gunfire continues, and people live in constant fear. There are still many missing; no one knows if they are alive or dead.”
Other Christian sites have also come under attack. St. Michael’s Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Al-Soura Al-Kabira was heavily damaged earlier this month, and at least 38 Christian homes were destroyed. Survivors from that area have taken refuge in a church hall in the nearby town of Shahba, where they too remain under siege, with no access to humanitarian aid.
Despite the Syrian government’s repeated promises of building an inclusive and peaceful Syria, the worsening situation in Suwayda reveals the state’s continued inability to control armed groups or protect vulnerable communities.
With no clear end to the violence in sight, Christian families and others trapped in the region remain at the mercy of unpredictable and often brutal clashes, praying for relief that has yet to come.
Content Credit: Ohidah Oluwaferanmi
Image Credit: ACN international.com
