Changes

'''Christians in Syria''' were much freer before [[Hafez al-Assad]] took power, when Protestant Christian Fares al-Khouri was elected prime minister of Syria in 1954. Under Assad Christians are legally banned from becoming the head of state.<ref>Yamin, Bahnan / Moubayed, Samira / Barq, Mirna and Stifto, George (May 11, 2017). [http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/religion/332938-dont-be-fooled-assad-is-no-friend-of-syrias-christian-minorities Don't be fooled: Assad is no friend of Syria's Christian minorities]. ''[[The Hill]]''</ref>

'''Christians in Syria''' were much freer before [[Hafez al-Assad]] took power, when Protestant Christian Fares al-Khouri was elected prime minister of Syria in 1954. Under Assad Christians are legally banned from becoming the head of state.<ref>Yamin, Bahnan / Moubayed, Samira / Barq, Mirna and Stifto, George (May 11, 2017). [https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/religion/332938-dont-be-fooled-assad-is-no-friend-of-syrias-christian-minorities Don't be fooled: Assad is no friend of Syria's Christian minorities]. ''[[The Hill]]''</ref>

The situation for Christians has worsened since the beginning of the [[Syrian War]]. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, over 60 percent of all churches in Syria that have been destroyed during the war have been by the Assad regime.<ref>Yamin, Bahnan / Moubayed, Samira / Barq, Mirna and Stifto, George (May 11, 2017). [http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/religion/332938-dont-be-fooled-assad-is-no-friend-of-syrias-christian-minorities Don't be fooled: Assad is no friend of Syria's Christian minorities]. ''[[The Hill]]''</ref> In April 2013 the [[Syriac Orthodox Church|Syriac Orthodox]] archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim and the [[Greek Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox]] Bishop Boulos Yazigi have been kidnapped by opposition forces.<ref>http://cnsnews.com/news/article/syrian-christians-plan-sit-protest-syrian-rebel-kidnapping-bishops</ref> In June 2013 parts of the [[Free Syrian Army]] destroyed a Christian village and massacred its population. 350 militants broke into homes and led their residents together to a place, where they were executed.<ref>http://syriareport.net/syria-militants-massacre-christian-village/</ref> Since the rise of the [[Islamic State]] the persecution has increased.

The situation for Christians has worsened since the beginning of the [[Syrian War]]. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, over 60 percent of all churches in Syria that have been destroyed during the war have been by the Assad regime.<ref>Yamin, Bahnan / Moubayed, Samira / Barq, Mirna and Stifto, George (May 11, 2017). [https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/religion/332938-dont-be-fooled-assad-is-no-friend-of-syrias-christian-minorities Don't be fooled: Assad is no friend of Syria's Christian minorities]. ''[[The Hill]]''</ref> In April 2013 the [[Syriac Orthodox Church|Syriac Orthodox]] archbishop Yohanna Ibrahim and the [[Greek Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox]] Bishop Boulos Yazigi have been kidnapped by opposition forces.<ref>http://cnsnews.com/news/article/syrian-christians-plan-sit-protest-syrian-rebel-kidnapping-bishops</ref> In June 2013 parts of the [[Free Syrian Army]] destroyed a Christian village and massacred its population. 350 militants broke into homes and led their residents together to a place, where they were executed.<ref>http://syriareport.net/syria-militants-massacre-christian-village/</ref> Since the rise of the [[Islamic State]] the persecution has increased.

==See also==

==See also==

==External links==

==External links==

*[http://www.worldwatchlist.us/world-watch-list-countries/syria/ Syria at Open Doors]

*[http://www.worldwatchlist.us/world-watch-list-countries/syria/ Syria at Open Doors]

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cec0IZHL4Vo Video:Christians Flee Syria in Wake of Targeted Violence]

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cec0IZHL4Vo Video:Christians Flee Syria in Wake of Targeted Violence]

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcK8XiafhVM Video:Christian Persecution in Syria]

*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcK8XiafhVM Video:Christian Persecution in Syria]

*[http://frontpagemag.com/2013/enza-ferreri/christians-in-syria-separating-grim-reality-from-islamist-propaganda/ Christians in Syria: Separating Grim Reality from Islamist Propaganda at FrontPageMag.com]

*[http://frontpagemag.com/2013/enza-ferreri/christians-in-syria-separating-grim-reality-from-islamist-propaganda/ Christians in Syria: Separating Grim Reality from Islamist Propaganda at FrontPageMag.com]