Christian teacher shot dead in Syrian sectarian violence

Sectarian violence in Homs, Syria, has claimed the lives of a Christian and two Alawites.

Since the deposition of the federal government of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, the brand new government, led primarily by Al-Qaeda offshoot HTS, has struggled to take care of order.

While many were concerned that a gaggle with Islamist leanings could spell serious trouble for Syria’s multicultural and multi-faith society, HTS insisted its intention was to create an inclusive country during which the varied groups and communities were respected.

However, after well over a decade of civil war, Syria has no shortage of armed groups and the brand new government has failed to forestall serious instances of sectarian violence. Adding to the challenges is the undeniable fact that it still doesn’t control the entire country.

On 18 February, an Alawite couple, Khidr Karakeet and his fiancée Nada Salem, were shot and killed by masked gunmen on a motorbike. Just five days later a 47-year-old Christian school teacher, Iman Jarrous, was also shot and killed in the identical a part of town.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), which supports persecuted Christians, said its sources on the bottom indicated Jarrous could have been mistaken for an Alawite because she was not wearing a hijab.

Alawites are particularly hated by many in Syria partly because they’re considered heretics, but in addition since the Assad government, and all of the repression that went with it, was dominated by Alawites. In the early days of the civil war the mantra “Christians to Beirut, Alawites to the coffin” could possibly be heard repeatedly.

Speaking of the most recent killings, Mervyn Thomas, founder and president of CSW, called on Syria to tackle violence and extremism. 

“CSW extends deepest condolences to the families and family members of the victims of those heinous attacks,” he said. 

“We call on the Syrian government, once more, to galvanise efforts to combat extremism, sectarianism and hate speech, ensuring protection for all civilians, including vulnerable minority communities, and that perpetrators are brought swiftly to justice.”