Turkey-backed, al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorists have been sweeping across Syria since November 27. As part of that offensive, Jihadist terrorists called Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took Aleppo in less than three days. Then, the cities of Hama and Homs fell. On December 8, more than 50 years of Assad family rule in Syria collapsed, with jihadist forces claiming control of Damascus and President Bashar al-Assad escaping to Russia.
The HTS forces were formerly known as Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda’s local affiliate in Syria. For years, HTS leadership consisted of both Syrian and international Islamists who had links to Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaeda. In 2018, the U.S. State Department added HTS to the Nusra Front’s existing designation as a foreign terrorist organization. HTS are committed to establish an Islamic state across Syria. They reportedly cooperate with the Turkish military and Turkish-backed groups in Syria. HTS are also supported on the northern front by the Syrian National Army (SNA), a coalition of Islamist militants that are largely financed, armed, and trained by Turkey.
As Islamic terrorists quickly seized Syrian territories, many Greek Christian families started seeking refuge in the formerly government-controlled “Valley of Christians” (Wadi al-Nasara). However, HTS jihadists reportedly warned those in the Valley that they must “not stand with the Assad regime.” Since the jihadi takeover of Syria, reports of anti-Christian discrimination and violence are increasing throughout the country.
Two Greek Christians—Samaan Satme and Helena Khashouf—from the village al-Jamasliyye in the Valley were brutally murdered in their home on December 13. Samaan was beheaded and Helena shot.
A Christian priest in Homs reported that a group of Muslims there attacked Christian farmers in a Christian village. The Christians were ridiculed and beaten for being “kafirs” (infidels).
There are also claims the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Ephraim of Aleppo was threatened with beheading. Meanwhile, video footage has emerged on social media of HTS factions desecrating the Hagia Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Hama province’s countryside. Currently, there are approximately half a million Christians in Syria; the majority of them belong to the Greek Orthodox and Greek Catholic communities. This is a moment of life and death for them. In such a volatile situation, Levantine Greek activists are striving to raise awareness and lobby for their brethren in Syria. One such group is the account Greco-Levantines Worldwide (@GrecoLevantines) on X (formerly Twitter) whose admins are Levantine Greeks. There, they share information about the escalating jihad against Syria, and against the Greek Christians who live there.
Eiad Herera, the spokesman of the Antiochian Greek Organization (AGO), answered some questions from The European Conservative on behalf of the Greco-Levantines Worldwide X account.
Could you tell us about your X account?
We are a collective of dedicated volunteers, not yet formally incorporated, committed to serving and advocating for our community. Our passion for Levantine Greek heritage drives us to share insightful information and engage with our followers on X. We believe that addressing the unique challenges our community faces is vital, especially in the current climate.
Historically, the term “Rum” [Greeks of the Eastern Roman Empire] has been associated with the Byzantine Empire, often portrayed as an arch-enemy of Islam. This historical context has led to sensitivities surrounding the discussion of our heritage. Consequently, while other groups in Syria (including various Christian denominations) can openly celebrate and discuss their histories, we encounter obstacles when attempting to do the same. Our commitment is to overcome these challenges by fostering understanding and appreciation for the rich cultural tapestry of the Levantine Greeks.
Through our platform, we aim to shed light on our community’s history, traditions, and contributions, ensuring that our narrative is preserved and respected alongside those of other groups in the region.
Syria is often considered an Arab country by the international community. Yet, it has a long pre-Arab and Greek history. What is the significance of Syria in Greek history and civilization?
Syria holds a profound place in Greek history, dating back to the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century B.C. Following Alexander’s campaigns, Syria became a cornerstone of the Hellenistic world, with cities like Antioch and Apamea serving as cultural and administrative centers of Greek civilization. These cities flourished as hubs of trade, art, and intellectual exchange, blending Greek and local traditions. During the Byzantine period, Syria continued to be a vital part of Greek cultural and religious life, with Antioch being one of the most important patriarchates. To this day, the Rum Orthodox Church in Syria preserves this heritage, linking modern Syria to its ancient Greek past.
Who are the Levantine Greeks?
The Levantine Greeks, or the Rum (Arabic-speaking Greek Christians), are the descendants of the Hellenized communities that have lived in the Eastern Mediterranean for over two millennia. They reside in modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt and Israel. These communities trace their roots to the Hellenistic and Byzantine eras and have maintained their Greek cultural and religious identity despite centuries of political and social upheaval. They include both Orthodox Christians (under the Patriarchates of Antioch, Jerusalem, and Alexandria) and Melkite Greek Catholics, who share similar liturgical practices but are in communion with the Roman Catholic Church. Despite speaking Arabic today, their heritage and liturgical traditions are deeply rooted in their Greek origins.
Why do many Levantine Greeks speak Arabic today?
The Arabization of the Levant began after the Muslim conquests in the 7th century. Arabic gradually replaced Greek as the administrative and cultural language of the region. Systemic policies encouraged Arabization, and the adoption of Arabic became essential for social and economic integration. Over time, native languages like Greek were overshadowed, though the Rum Orthodox Church preserved Greek in its liturgy. Today, most Levantine Greeks are Arabic-speaking but retain elements of their Greek heritage in their religious practices and cultural identity.
Since the beginning of the civil war in Syria in 2011, what kind of human rights abuses have Greeks and other Christians suffered at the hands of ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other Islamic terrorists?
Greek Orthodox Christians and other minorities have faced severe persecution by ISIS, al-Qaeda, and similar extremist groups. These abuses include killings, kidnappings, forced conversions, and the destruction of ancient churches and monasteries. Entire Christian communities, such as those in Maaloula—one of the few places where Aramaic is still spoken—were attacked and displaced. Extremist groups have systematically targeted Christians to erase their historical presence in the region.
What was the condition of Christians under the Assad government?
The Assad regime provided relative stability for Christians compared to the areas controlled by extremist groups. However, this stability came at a cost. While Christians were safer from violence under Assad, they faced systemic discrimination and limited political representation. The regime often exploited their fears of Islamist extremism to secure their loyalty while maintaining tight control over their communities. As Greeks, they faced additional challenges in preserving their identity within a government that prioritized Arab nationalism.
Turkey has conducted several military campaigns against Syria since 2011. Currently, Turkey is using al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist terrorists to seize Syrian territory. Why is Turkey targeting Syria once again?
Turkey’s military campaigns in Syria reflect its strategic ambitions to expand its influence, counter Kurdish autonomy, and control key regions in northern Syria. By using al-Qaeda-linked jihadist groups as proxies, Turkey seeks to destabilize the region and create a buffer zone along its southern border. These invasions often displace minorities, including Christians, as part of Turkey’s broader goal of reshaping northern Syria’s demographics to align with its interests.
As Aleppo, Hama, and Homs fell to jihadist terrorists, your X account reported that many Christians fled for their lives. What are their most urgent needs right now? What should the civilized world do to help them?
As jihadist forces captured key areas, many Christians fled to relatively safer regions like Christian Valley and Latakia, or even to neighboring countries such as Lebanon. Their urgent needs include shelter, food, medical care, and international protection. The international community must provide immediate humanitarian aid and work to ensure the safe return of displaced Christians to their homes. Diplomatic pressure should be applied to all parties in Syria to protect Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities.
As both jihadist HTS forces and Kurdish-led SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces) are advancing in Syria, and with the fall of the Assad government, it appears that there will be a new Syria in 2025. What political rights do Greeks and other Christians in Syria need?
In a post-war Syria, Christians and other minorities must be guaranteed full political and civil rights. This could involve federalism or regional autonomy to safeguard their cultural and religious identity. Institutional equality, freedom of worship, and adequate political representation are essential. Christians should have the opportunity to participate in the governance of Syria as equals, ensuring that their historical and cultural contributions are respected.
What should the EU executive and the U.S. administration do to help Christians in Syria?
The EU and the U.S. must prioritize the protection of Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities. This includes providing humanitarian aid, imposing sanctions on groups committing human rights abuses, and ensuring minorities’ inclusion in any political settlement. They should also support local governance structures that promote pluralism and fund initiatives to rebuild Christian communities and heritage sites. Advocacy at international forums is crucial to ensure that minorities like the Levantine Greeks are not sidelined in Syria’s future.
