Christian Watch Group Rises to Protect Community Amid Growing Violence in Syria - Faith & Freedom News

The ‘Eagles of Antioch’ Stand Guard in Damascus

Damascus, Syria – The surge in violent attacks against Christians in Syria under the Islamist rule of the new regime, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, has forced the Christian community to take matters into their own hands. A volunteer group known as the “Eagles of Antioch” has emerged as a key force in safeguarding Christian neighborhoods in Damascus, stepping in to fill the security vacuum left in the wake of the Assad regime’s collapse.

Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, described the situation as dire. “The situation for Christians in Syria has reached a critical threshold, and I’d argue they’re teetering on the edge of catastrophe,” King told Fox News Digital. “A jihadist storm is beginning to rain down on them, and so how long can faith hold?”

A Community Under Threat

In recent weeks, Syria’s Christian and Alawite minorities have faced a string of deadly attacks at the hands of Islamist extremists. The violence, which claimed hundreds of lives earlier this month, has only deepened fears that religious minorities in Syria could soon face extinction. The Eagles of Antioch, a volunteer security force numbering around 500 members, has stepped up to protect Christian neighborhoods from dusk until dawn, patrolling the streets and ensuring the safety of religious shrines and churches.

Danial Georgios, a 30-year-old construction engineer and member of the group, spoke exclusively to Fox News Digital about their efforts. “We want to be represented. We no longer accept the idea of being marginalized or treated like second-class citizens,” he said. “We see ourselves as equal to Muslims, Alawites, and every single Syrian citizen.”

Defending Christian Heritage

The group’s name is derived from the ancient city of Antioch, underscoring their deep connection to the region’s Christian history. Members come from three primary Christian denominations: Antiochian Greek Orthodox, Antiochian Melkite Catholics, and Antiochian Syriac Orthodox. The Eagles of Antioch patrol their neighborhoods, defending churches, religious symbols, and community properties from vandalism or destruction.

One of the most shocking incidents that galvanized the group’s efforts was the burning of a Christmas tree in Al-Sqailbiyyah, a Christian-majority town outside Hama, in December 2024. Extremists reportedly set the tree ablaze, sparking outrage and leading to a mass peaceful protest organized by the Eagles of Antioch in Damascus.

“We want to be able to police our areas internally,” Georgios said, emphasizing that their actions are coordinated with the ruling HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) government and are not meant to challenge the sovereignty of Syria.

Navigating a Complex Political Landscape

Despite accusations that HTS has targeted Christians, Georgios claims most attacks on Christian communities have come from foreign factions and radical elements rather than the ruling government itself. HTS, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, seized control of Damascus in December 2024 after toppling the Assad regime. Although the group initially assured religious minorities they would be allowed to coexist, many fear this promise will not hold in the long run.

King remains skeptical about HTS’s assurances, noting that since they took power, the environment for Christians has become increasingly precarious. “Since HTS toppled the Assad regime, the situation has been unstable at best. But the bloodshed from March 6-10 in Latakia and Tartous represents a frightening escalation,” King said. “According to the Syrian Observatory, the violence claimed over 1,540 lives—predominantly civilians, including between four and a dozen Christians.”

HTS’s interim constitution has raised additional concerns among Christian groups. Article III of the document declares that “The religion of the President of the Republic is Islam,” and states that “Islamic jurisprudence is the principal source of legislation.” While the document also guarantees protections for “all divine religions,” Christian advocacy groups worry about the future implications of such language.

Cooperation with HTS Police

The Eagles of Antioch claim they maintain close cooperation with HTS authorities in Damascus. According to Georgios, this relationship ensures that Islamic laws are not imposed on Christian neighborhoods. Together with HTS police, they work to prevent crimes and maintain security, ensuring a fragile coexistence.

Some of the volunteers carry weapons legally sanctioned by HTS officials. They coordinate efforts with law enforcement, providing intelligence on potential threats and criminal activities. This cooperation, while uneasy, has so far helped prevent major clashes between Christian communities and Islamist factions.

A Bleak Future for Syria’s Christians?

Despite the efforts of groups like the Eagles of Antioch, the future of Christianity in Syria remains uncertain. The Christian population has already plummeted from 1.5 million before the conflict to between 300,000 and 500,000 today. Fear and anxiety grip the remaining community, with many keeping their doors locked, waiting for the situation to deteriorate further.

“Syria’s Christian population is in survival mode,” King warned. “They have suffered persecution, war, and now an uncertain political landscape. While some may hold on to hope, the reality is that their numbers continue to dwindle, and the pressure they face is immense.”

As violence continues to surge, the Eagles of Antioch remain vigilant, striving to ensure that Christianity does not vanish from the land where it has existed for nearly two millennia. But as geopolitical tensions mount and Islamist factions strengthen their grip, the battle for Syria’s Christian future is far from over.