Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Interim President of Syria, is under scrutiny for his regime’s failure to protect civilians, particularly Christians, amid ongoing violence. Christian leaders question the regime’s ability to establish democracy, while Rev. Johnnie Moore calls for increased international pressure to safeguard these vulnerable groups. The Christian population in Syria has significantly declined due to the civil war, raising concerns about their future.
In recent developments, the Interim President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, led an Islamist regime that has come under scrutiny following a massacre of over 1,000 Syrians, including Christians. Al-Sharaa, affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham—a group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S.—overthrew former President Bashar Assad. Christian leaders and human rights advocates express skepticism regarding the new regime’s ability to uphold democracy and protect vulnerable religious minorities.
Rev. Johnnie Moore, president of The Congress of Christian Leaders, emphasized the government’s failure to protect innocent civilians, stating, “This is a warning that the Syrian government is not ready for prime time if it can’t protect a handful of vulnerable Christians who had absolutely nothing to do with this violence except being its victims.” After gruesome footage surfaced depicting the killings of Syrian Alawites, al-Sharaa vowed to hold those responsible for civilian bloodshed accountable, asserting, “There will be no one above the law and anyone whose hands have been stained with the blood of Syrians will face justice sooner or later.”
Moore criticized the new government’s ability to safeguard its citizens, remarking, “It is a clear demonstration that this new government has failed at the first task of any government, which is to protect its citizens.” He highlighted the alarming actions of foreign fighters, describing instances of indiscriminate killings of civilians, including Christians, verifying rising casualty numbers.
Drawing parallels to extremist groups, Moore stated, “The new government in Syria may not be ISIS, but they are ‘Islamists.’” Moore expressed concern over European nations rewarding the Syrian Islamist regime, especially after announcements regarding the lifting of sanctions on several entities. He warned, “For this to happen within 24 hours of the United Kingdom announcing that they are waiving sanctions on the Syrian national bank… is a warning sign to the entire Western world.”
Moore urged the United States to adopt a contrary stance, advocating for a clear message: there should be no sanctions relief or normalization in relations until the Syrian government demonstrates its capacity to safeguard all its citizens, especially vulnerable Christians. He referenced the historical context, noting that the Christian population in Syria has been drastically reduced from approximately 1.5 million before the conflict began to an estimated 300,000 today, underscoring the plight of Christians amidst the ongoing instability in the region.
The situation for Syrian Christians and other vulnerable groups remains precarious under the new Islamist regime led by Ahmed al-Sharaa. With the alarming increase in violence and skepticism surrounding the regime’s commitment to safeguarding all citizens, particularly religious minorities, it is crucial for global powers, especially the United States, to take a firm stance. Ensuring protection for these communities should be prioritized, alongside clear communication regarding sanctions and support for the Syrian population.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
