Caution and fragile hope: What is the future for Syria?

Syrian Christians speak about their fears and hopes for their country.

As Syria continues to grapple with the fall of the Assad regime, there is a mixture of cautious optimism and deep skepticism among Christians. I spoke to several Christian Syrians this week. Each seemed to be navigating their own fragile hope for the future amidst years of conflict, oppression and uncertainty. Their stories tell of a people who, after decades of authoritarian rule, are both liberated … and trapped—unable to shake off the past while unsure of what tomorrow holds.

“We are realizing now the pressure we were in before,” one Syrian Christian shared. “At least now we can use the word ‘dollar’—a foreign currency to our country—without fear. [Note: Previously, even mentioning the name of a foreign currency was enough to get you in trouble with the Assad state.] We are experiencing a new sense of freedom, something we never knew before.” It is a tiny but significant shift, as Syrians begin to glimpse a future outside the suffocating grasp of a regime that kept its citizens under constant surveillance, where even a casual word or thought could be dangerous.

‘We need to stay cautious’
Yet this newfound freedom comes with a cost. For many, the future feels too uncertain and the risk too high. “The vision for the future is foggy,” said another believer, echoing the sense of ambivalence that prevails in our conversation. “We are facing two scary extremes: fundamentalist extremism on one side, and a dangerous vacuum of power on the other. For the last 50 years, we as people and as institutions have not been prepared for a country without the Assad regime.”

Almost all the people I talked with were under the age of 50—they have never lived in a country without an Assad in power. The challenge now is not just surviving the current state of affairs but figuring out how to rebuild a country that has been left in pieces—socially, politically and economically—when no one seems to know how to do it. Some have adapted, but the fear is there. In their homes, Christians experienced short moments of happiness during the first couple of days, but these were quickly replaced by fear as they remember the volatility that has marked Syria’s history. Now it is more of an anticipatory feeling of constant caution. “We were caught off guard,” said another Christian, who described the transition like waking up from anaesthesia only to find a bitter reality. “We feel insecure and don’t know what to do. Things appear calm on the surface, but it will take time to truly understand what is happening. We need to stay cautious, continue monitoring, and offer our best.”

For some, this cautious approach means that they monitor social media to see whether there are signs of extremism and political shifts. They are carefully picking up on the rhetoric that may hint on this. But there are also efforts to reassure. Meetings between opposition leaders and church representatives have been shared, promising safety and inclusion for Syria’s Christians. Yet, many are unwilling to fully trust these reassurances. “We want to believe them, but we are afraid to,” one Christian admitted. “We feel like Christians in Syria are being used as a political card to appeal to the West.” The feeling of being manipulated, of having their loyalty and fears used by various factions, runs deep.

‘We are the salt of the Earth’
Some rural areas, particularly those near Kurdish-controlled regions and Idlib, offer a darker reality. There, Christians are reinforcing their homes with cement out of fear of attack. In some villages, displaced Christian families have returned to find their homes occupied by non-Syrians or even turned into mosques. “We don’t know whether the opposition will succeed in clearing out the foreign /non-Syrian occupiers,” said one Christian. Others shared stories of Christians being kicked out from homes they had legally purchased and lived in for years under the pretext of a legal manoeuvre. These actions are seen as yet another example of the fragile security faced by Christian communities.

A Syriac Orthodox bishop in Aleppo, Bishop Boutros, framed this moment as one of deep reflection. “Christians are scared, and that is normal during such a transitional phase, especially after the war’s devastating impact on Christian presence here. We are right to be concerned about the future,” he acknowledged. “But what is not normal is giving up, failing to work toward enhancing our Christian presence, and leaving decisions to others. We need to not only be active politically but also be productive, to be a living part of this nation. Our role here is vital, [and] so is our presence.

In a voice memo he shared with his parish, the Bp. Boutros stressed the importance of love for the country and a positive attitude, even in the face of fear. “Fear and worry lead to isolation,” he said in the voice note, “but we must bring to life again the relationship with our roots and with this land.” The bishop’s words reflect the challenge that lies ahead for Christian Syrians: how to navigate a future of uncertainty while holding onto their faith. “Do not fear, little flock” he said, reminding his parish that “We are the salt of the earth” and that this alone gives them strength, and called them to take action.

For now, the Christian Syrians I spoke to remain in a state of confusion: Watching, waiting and hoping that the future will be different from the past. But the lack of trust is palpable, and the future is anything but certain. Some are willing to hope, but they do so cautiously, unable to ignore the lessons of the past. It is a fragile hope, one that will be tested as Syria continues its slow and painful journey towards whatever comes next.

By Leila*

*Leila is a Christian from a neighbouring country who has expertise on Syria’s context. She is affiliated with Open Doors and her name has been changed to protect her identity and ensure her safety. She was able to recently speak with several Syrian Christians inside the country, and they shared their hopes and fears for their country as it navigates a new reality.