Christian families have been returning to areas in Idlib province liberated from Assad regime control, now administered by the Syrian Salvation Government (SSG). The Directorate of Minority Affairs in the SSG has played a pivotal role in this transition, ensuring the rights and properties of returning Christians are restored. Despite claims of protecting minorities, Christians have experienced oppression under Assad, leading some to flee to the liberated north.
Bashir al-Ali, Director of the Directorate of Minority Affairs, highlighted the progress made in property restitution. “We have returned the properties of absent Christians or those outside the liberated areas to their relatives in the liberated areas by 90%, and the number of families who returned to the liberated areas has reached 30 families … not currently exceeding five hundred people,” al-Ali told L24.
The SSG has implemented several measures to support the returning Christian community. According to al-Ali, his directorate maintains continuous communication with Christians in the liberated areas, holding periodic sessions to address their concerns and liaise with the relevant authorities. A line of communication between the Directorate and the General Command ensures that issues are swiftly resolved, facilitating a smoother transition for returning families.
“The Directorate of Minority Affairs in the Salvation Government communicates with Christians in the liberated areas.” This is done says al-Ali through periodic sessions and meetings with minority communities to hear their concerns, and problems and relay them to the concerned authorities. He stressed that the government strives “to meet all necessary needs, solve problems quickly, and overcome all obstacles that hinder their livelihood.”
Newly enacted laws by the Directorate have been instrumental in addressing the challenges faced by returning Christians. These laws expedite the restoration of rights and properties, whether agricultural, residential, or religious. “Several laws were passed for immediate and rapid action to address these pending issues and resolve them as soon as possible,” al-Ali added.
Addressing Western media reports about the oppression of Christians in Idlib, al-Ali acknowledged the difficulties faced during the early years of the revolution. “At the beginning of the revolution, there were many factions and multiple administrations, so the region was full of chaos and Christians were subjected to many attacks by several parties,” he said.
However, the establishment of a unified administration under the SSG has significantly improved the situation. “Assistance and protection were provided to them from this side. Several security detachments and points were established in their areas, and now a police station will be established in the village of Al-Qunaya soon,” he noted.
Al-Ali emphasized the safety and freedoms now enjoyed by Christians in Idlib, who are free to practice their religion and rebuild their communities. “Christians in the liberated areas live in safety and security and enjoy full freedoms stipulated by Islamic law. They practice their worship and perform their prayers in their churches.
Encouraging displaced Christian families to return, al-Ali assured them of the support and stability they would find in Idlib. “We encourage them to return to their villages and we facilitate their return and remove any obstacles that may hinder them. They have what we have, and they are subject to what we are subject to. The region is experiencing an economic revival and development,” he said.
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