Christians in North and East Syria: A Historical Presence and Sacrifices Amid Ongoing Conflicts

The Syriac–Assyrian community, along with other Christian groups, forms an essential part of the diverse social fabric of North and East Syria. These communities have preserved their cultural and religious heritage despite the conflicts the region has witnessed over the past years.

The Christian demographic presence in North and East Syria is primarily concentrated in the governorates of Hasakah, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor, in addition to major cities such as Qamishli, Derik (Al-Malikiyah), Tirbe Spiyeh (Al-Qahtaniyah), and Karaki Laki (Al-Maabadah). Christians constitute a key component of this region, which is also home to Arabs, Kurds, Syriacs, Assyrians, Armenians, and Turkmen—contributing to the cultural and social diversity of the area.

The Assyrian villages along the Khabur River in Hasakah Governorate were subjected to one of the most significant attacks in February 2015, when ISIS launched a large-scale operation that resulted in the kidnapping of between 220 and 285 civilians, including women and children. The attack also led to the destruction of property and churches, causing a massive displacement of the population and a decline in their demographic presence in the region.

In response to security threats, local self-defense forces were formed over the past years, most notably the Syriac Military Council (MFS), established in January 2013, along with the Sutoro forces and the Khabur Guards. These formations later joined the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Internal Security Forces, contributing to the protection of the areas inhabited by these communities and enabling some residents to return.

Politically, Christian parties and organizations—including the Syriac Union Party and the Assyrian Democratic Organization—participate in the institutions of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, which has adopted the principle of pluralism and introduced Syriac and Armenian languages into its educational curricula. Community leaders emphasize the importance of coexistence, noting that the town of Tel Tamer stands as an example of social diversity in the region.

Bishop Maurice Amsih, the Syriac Orthodox Bishop of Jazira and the Euphrates, said:”This city and this region, which we are proud of throughout the ages, are built on shared living among Syriacs, Armenians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Kurds, Arabs, and Yazidis. We take pride in all the components of the Jazira as if they were a bouquet of flowers of all colors, each with its own fragrance. We complete one another in our shared living through good times and hard times, despite the painful events we have endured. But today, the sun of freedom, love, and peace shines for all components, so that they may live the joy of peace and love and take part in building a modern Syria for the good of all its children. We live together as one family, brothers from all components—we rejoice together and grieve together. We ask God to bring security, safety, peace, goodness, and blessings to this good land—the land of Jazira, the land of goodness and giving for all its people. There is no fear for Northeast Syria, no fear for Jazira, and no fear for Syria, no matter what hardships come. We cannot forget the painful, tragic days that wounded our hearts, when ISIS descended upon the Khabur villages. They displaced people, kidnapped many, even taking them to Raqqa as captives and slaves, burning churches and destroying everything. Sons of ours—Syriacs, Assyrians, Kurds, and Arabs—were martyred in that battle; we consider all of them our children. The soil of Jazira and Northeast Syria was cleansed by the blood of the martyrs, and without their blood, we would not have life on this earth. Mercy to the martyrs, and long life to you all.”

Abgar Nohomo, a member of the General Command of the Syriac Military Council, affirmed:

“The Syriac Military Council was founded on the eighth of January 2013 by a group of young Syriac–Assyrian Christians due to the events that erupted in the region with the start of the Syrian revolution and the spread of destruction and armed terrorist groups that practiced kidnapping and intimidation. After the regime withdrew and abandoned the population, young Syriac–Assyrian Christians felt the imminent danger threatening their people, churches, neighborhoods, and homes, which compelled them to take up arms to protect their land and defend the Syriac–Assyrian people, the Christian community, and all components of the region, since the threat targeted everyone. The danger was looming over all the inhabitants of North and East Syria.”

Wael Mirtha, a member of the Executive Committee of the Assyrian Democratic Party, stated:

“The Assyrians lived in peace and security, and the Assyrian by nature is peaceful with all components. They lived in the Khabur villages in peace with their Kurdish and Arab brothers, although the chauvinistic regime attempted to sow division and deprived the Assyrians of their national rights and recognition in the Syrian constitution as an indigenous people. The Assyrian villages along the Khabur number 36, and the villages belonging to the Tel Tamer subdistrict are the largest. The truth is that coexistence is a culture we were raised on. Assyrians lived with us in Tel Tamer—with Kurds and Arabs—as brothers, working together especially in agriculture. That is why we always say that Tel Tamer is the capital of the brotherhood of peoples in North and East Syria.”

Horo Serbion Sarkis Samuel, an administrator in the Internal Security Forces (Sutoro), also confirmed:

“The establishment of the Democratic Autonomous Administration means the participation of all components and groups in forming this administration. Naturally, all components should take part in negotiations on the political, military, and security levels, as every component began defending itself and defending the others.”

Nabil Warda, commander of the Assyrian Khabur Guards Council, added:”As Assyrians, we speak Assyrian, Kurdish, and Arabic due to the interconnection and close ties among the components. In this period of about ten years, we remember the difficult days during the war against ISIS. February 23, 2015, was a very heavy day for the Assyrian community—most of our comrades were martyred after the stages of the revolution, and those days were among the hardest moments our people have endured.”