Reading time: 2 minutes

It is hard to believe that the Tahrir al-Sham organization, currently in power, is truly ensuring the freedom of religious communities in Syria, despite its promises. This is especially questionable given that, after a name change, their leader—known as Ahmad Hussein al-Shar—had previously threatened the Christian community with beheadings and was active within the ranks of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization, said Meszár Tárik, senior researcher at the Migration Research Institute, during his lecture in Szeged.

The situation of religious minorities is well illustrated by the fact that the Jewish population, which once numbered in the hundreds of thousands and settled in the country during the Middle Ages in hopes of protection, has now dwindled to just nine individuals—essentially marking the complete disappearance of the community.

During the nearly 15-year-long civil war, the country's infrastructure and economy have basically collapsed. Agricultural production has almost ceased, and the working-age population is forced to survive on an average of just $20 per month, pushing the majority into extreme poverty. The economic decline has been further exacerbated by the revolutionary forces currently in power, who dismantled the previously state-protected illegal pharmaceutical industry, which had contributed significantly to government revenues.

The takeover of power has also accelerated the country's increasing Islamization, which is evident in the education system as well. New textbooks have introduced a common enemy narrative, portraying Christianity and Judaism as the source of all evil. In the long run, this rhetoric could lead to the emergence of generations that are more susceptible to extremist ideologies, increasing the risk of terrorist acts and posing a serious threat to the civilian population.

According to experts, the deteriorating situation has already led to millions of people fleeing the country, while the rate of return migration remains negligible. This poses a significant challenge for Europe as well, as the number of refugees keep increasing, with more and more people seeking a safer life in the West. Currently, the UN and several international interest groups are closely monitoring the internal developments in Syria, as the December 2024 power takeover remains a recent event, leaving the new leadership facing numerous unresolved challenges.