Syria: Islamic Regime Forces Set Fire to Saint Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Sawara

Image: Jihad Watch

Al-Surah Al-Kabira, As-Suwayda Governorate – July 15, 2025: In a troubling surge of sectarian violence in southern Syria, armed fighters loyal to Abu Muhammad al-Julani—leader of the Sunni extremist faction formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda—stormed the village of Al-Surah Al-Kabira in northern As-Suwayda and launched a brutal assault on one of the region's most revered Christian landmarks. The Church of San Michel, a Greek Orthodox institution with deep roots in the community, was looted, desecrated, and ultimately set ablaze by the attackers.

This deliberate act of destruction marks yet another flashpoint in Syria’s long and painful history of sectarian strife. The Greek Orthodox Church in Al-Surah Al-Kabira was not merely a house of worship; it stood as a symbol of centuries-old Christian presence in the region and a testament to the religious diversity that once defined Syrian society. Local Christian residents, already marginalized by years of conflict, now face renewed fears of persecution, displacement, and erasure of their heritage.

Eyewitnesses and local sources confirm that the perpetrators were members of a militia loyal to al-Julani, who has established himself as a dominant militant commander in the war-torn country. His group, ideologically rooted in an extreme interpretation of Sunni Islam, has a documented record of hostility toward religious minorities. This includes earlier confrontations with Alawite communities in western Syria and increasingly aggressive actions against Druze and Christian populations in the south.

The burning of the church has provoked widespread outrage among religious leaders and human rights advocates. They see it not only as an assault on Christian identity but as a calculated attempt to dismantle the fragile social fabric of southern Syria, where Christians and Druze have long coexisted despite tensions.

Analysts argue that al-Julani’s campaign represents more than battlefield maneuvers; it reflects a broader agenda of religious homogenization, driven by sectarian ideology and intolerance. By targeting sacred sites and minority populations, his forces aim to redraw the cultural and religious landscape of the regions under their control.

This latest incident adds to a growing list of human rights violations committed by militant factions in Syria's fragmented war. As international attention wanes and the conflict drags on, religious minorities remain dangerously vulnerable to extremist violence and systemic marginalization—raising urgent questions about the future of pluralism in Syria.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)