A Decade After the IS Attack: Syrian Christians Reflect on Their Future

The Christian community in Tel Tal, Syria, reflects on a decade since a devastating IS attack that decimated their population and church presence. As they mark this tragic anniversary, concerns loom regarding their future under the new governance of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Despite pressures prompting emigration, some community members express a strong desire to remain rooted in their homeland, highlighting a significant but resilient cultural heritage.

Tel Tal, Syria commemorates a somber milestone for its Christian community a decade after a catastrophic attack orchestrated by the Islamic State group. The Saint Odisho church, once a center for worship, now lies in ruins, symbolizing the violence that decimated the village’s population. Ishaq Nissan, a local resident who fled the atrocities, reflects on the exodus of families to countries like the U.S., Australia, Canada, and Europe.

This upcoming anniversary marks the 10th year since the IS assault on over 30 villages along the Khabur River on February 23, 2015. The attack resulted in numerous fatalities, injuries, and the abduction of over 200 Christians, sparking a mass displacement. Presently, the Christians of northeast Syria express deep concerns regarding their future amidst changing political dynamics, particularly following the removal of former President Bashar Assad in December by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group.

Newly appointed interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa has assured that religious rights will be upheld in the post-Assad landscape. HTS is known for its rivalry against IS, having emerged from its al-Qaida affiliations. While IS was defeated in 2019, its remnants continue to pose threats through sleeper cells. Recently, isolated incidents targeting Christians have occurred, raising questions about their safety; one such incident involved a Christmas tree being set ablaze.

Archbishop Maurice Amsih, leader of the Syrian Orthodox Church in the northeast, expressed a desire for cooperation among all factions in Syria to secure rights for every community. He strongly emphasized that Christians oppose any form of Islamic dominance, seeking civil treatment. Advocates from the West have urged new Syrian authorities to affirm the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, noting that Christians, Druze, and Alawites represent a significant yet vulnerable portion of the population among predominantly Sunni Muslims.

Traditionally, Christians accounted for nearly 10% of Syria’s prewar populace of 23 million, enjoying freedom of worship under the Assad regime. However, since the outbreak of civil war in 2011, a devastating wave of emigration has occurred. The rise of IS and specific attacks have severely contributed to this decline, as residents express grief and disbelief over the loss of their once peaceful coexistence. Elias Antar Elias, a long-time resident of Tel Tal, recounts the terror that prompted his family to flee during the violent assaults, noting the grim scenes of violence witnessed during the invasion.

Elias hesitated to leave his homeland for good, feeling a strong attachment to the land of his ancestors, where his family’s memories remain embedded. Archdeacon Amsih notes that the communities along the Khabur River that once housed 45,000 Assyrians have been largely emptied since 2015, with approximately 2.2 million Christians estimated to have existed in Syria pre-conflict—two-thirds of whom have since departed.

Despite the violence, some individuals, like Janet Chamoun, express resolve to remain in Syria amidst uncertainty. Chamoun, who survived a car bombing in a church, reflects on her commitment to her home as she continues to pray daily at the restored Virgin Mary Syriac church, asserting, “Our home and roots are here.”

The tragic legacy of the Islamic State’s attack on Syria’s Christians remains evident ten years later, as many in Tel Tal reflect on losses and displacement. While tensions continue to persist under new governance, community leaders emphasize the need for protection of minority rights and the preservation of their cultural heritage. The resilience demonstrated by residents exhibits a profound connection to their homeland, raising hopes for a collaborative approach towards coexistence and peace.

Original Source: www.texarkanagazette.com