Athens' diplomatic pressure for protection of Orthodox Syrians: The hidden plan for ethnic cleansing

Athens is following developments in Syria with increasing concern, following the recent attacks on Greek Orthodox communities, which, according to church circles in the Greek capital, “can no longer be treated as isolated incidents.” As they emphasize, the picture that has been emerging recently raises serious questions about the future of the Christian populations in the country.

This picture was reinforced by the most recent attack that provoked Athens’ reaction. According to international reports, a fight between two men in a Christian town in central Syria has led to sectarian attacks, causing widespread damage to homes, shops and vehicles, reminiscent of the sectarian violence that followed the fall of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad two years ago.

The attacks in the predominantly Christian town of Suqaylabiya, in Hama province, are the latest in a series of attacks targeting members of Syria’s Christian minority. Many of them have fled the country since the start of the conflict 15 years ago, which has left half a million dead and a deeply divided society.

Along the same line, sources with good knowledge of the situation in Syria point out that, despite the assurances of the Ahmad al-Jolani regime to the international community about respecting minorities and maintaining an inclusive state, “a completely different reality is taking shape on the ground.” As they note, “a plan is gradually and quietly evolving that leads to the formation of a mono-religious, Sunni Syria.”

Syria for All: Al-Jolani’s Symbolic Moves

This contradiction, according to the same sources, becomes even more pronounced when compared to the public image that the new leadership in Damascus is attempting to project. As it is pointed out, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani – or Ahmed al-Sharaa – has adopted a rhetoric of “inclusiveness” since the fall of Assad, claiming that he does not seek to transform Syria into an exclusively Sunni state through persecution.

In this context, he has issued orders to protect minorities, attempting to appear as a guarantor of the security of Christians, Druze and Alawites, while he has also made symbolic gestures, such as visits to religious sites. His meeting in October 2025 with the Patriarch of Antioch John X in the Old City of Damascus is considered indicative, with the aim — as announced — of projecting a message of national unity and coexistence.

At the same time, his rhetoric shows a shift from the ideological framework of jihadism towards a “Syrian nationalism”, attempting to convince the international community that the new Syria can function as a state for all citizens, regardless of doctrine — a choice that, according to diplomatic assessments, is also linked to the need to avoid international isolation and sanctions.

The Silent Displacement in Syria: Pressure and Fear for Religious Minorities

However, sources with in-depth knowledge of the situation point out that this picture does not fully reflect what is happening inside the country. As they note, the imposition of Sharia as the basis of law and the strong Sunni character of public life create reasonable reservations, while many minorities view the new leadership’s stance with distrust, assessing that this is a tactic of moderation until the full consolidation of power.

A decisive obstacle to this strategy, according to the same sources, are both the Greek Orthodox populations and the Alawites — the religious and ethnic group from which the previous Assad regime came. “These communities are treated as incompatible with the new status quo that is being attempted to be imposed,” they report characteristically.

Sources who maintain constant and close communication with the Patriarchate of Antioch speak of “an organized, but low-intensity pattern of pressure”, which also includes the recent incidents of violence. As they point out, “these are not random tensions, but actions that either emanate from parastatal mechanisms with the tolerance of the “government” or are part of a broader plan of the regime”.

The goal, according to the same assessments, is not a direct and open conflict, but the creation of a prolonged climate of insecurity and intimidation. “This is a ‘silent’ displacement”, they note, explaining that “the pressure is exerted in such a way as to avoid widespread bloody incidents that would cause international outcry and lead to direct interventions, while in practice they create conditions that push populations to abandon their homes”.

The paradox, as sources with knowledge of the situation point out, is that the Greek Orthodox populations are trapped between the need for Jolani to remain in power and the very insecurity they are experiencing. As they explain, at the given time, a potential collapse of the regime would lead to chaos, which would further intensify insecurity, with minorities being the first victims. Therefore, the main request made to the international community is to exert pressure on Jolani, in order to control the situation.

Greece calls for respect for all religious communities in Syria

Within this context, Athens’ reaction takes on particular importance. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Greece is closely monitoring the situation, with particular reference to the events in Al-Suqaylabiya — a city with a strong Greek Orthodox element where episodes of violence were recorded.

The Greek Foreign Ministry, as noted, has sent a clear message to Damascus, calling for a full investigation of the incidents, transparency and accountability. At the same time, the need for a truly inclusive political transition is emphasized, with respect for the rights of all religious and ethnic communities, according to Spokesperson Lana Zohiou.

“Christians are an integral part of the historical and social identity of Syria,” Foreign Ministry sources emphasize, adding that maintaining the country’s multicultural character is a basic condition for stability in the region.

EU diplomatic intervention to protect religious minorities

At the same time, the issue has also reached the European level. An urgent question to the European Commission was submitted by MEP and former New Democracy leader Vangelis Meimarakis, describing with concern the worsening security situation of Christian communities, with particular reference to attacks against civilians, places of worship and historic Greek Orthodox populations.

In this context, it requests from the European Commission an updated assessment of the security situation of religious minorities, concrete protection measures and strengthening of the EU's diplomatic and humanitarian presence in the region, as well as stricter monitoring and accountability mechanisms for human rights violations.