Christian leaders welcomed assurances from those controlling Syria that believers will have a future in the country, which was seized by rebel forces including jihadist militias last weekend.

Armenian Catholic Bishop Georges Assadourian of Damascus told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that he met with the rebel leaders in the capital’s Four Seasons Hotel, which they have made their headquarters.

The meeting at which he represented the Christian community along with two priests was also attended by a number of ambassadors from overseas governments.

Bishop Assadourian said: “We discussed the Christian presence in Damascus and Syria, and also the role of Christians.

“Will we continue to live and bear witness to our Christianity or not?

“They assured us that everything would be fine and that we should not worry.”

The bishop said that “the situation in Damascus today is calm, as it was yesterday” – adding: “On the night of Friday, 6th December, and Saturday at noon, we held a universal prayer with all the priests, nuns and religious, to pray for peace in Syria.”

He explained that the prayers were prompted by reports that the rebels had reached Damascus, having taken over Aleppo, Hama and Homs.

He said that Saturday (7th December) “was the most dramatic day in Syria’s history.

“The president left the country, and everything turned into a desert – a country freed from the regime that had been in place for 50 years.”

Bishop Assadourian added that, at the meeting on Monday (9th December), messages of reassurance were conveyed to the Christian attendees on behalf of a key leader who was not able to appear in person.

He stressed that the presence of ambassadors at the meeting signalled efforts by the international community to monitor the political changes in Syria.

Other sources in the country who wished to remain anonymous warned ACN that the situation for minority faith groups could deteriorate, noting that Christians faced discrimination and persecution – including a ban on religious practice and symbols – in regions previously controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

It was widely reported that HTS led the rebel forces that currently control Syria.

ACN has been in contact with its project partners and assured them of its continued support, including emergency aid, medical assistance and food supplies for Christian families.

The charity has helped with the rebuilding of homes and supported pastoral activities, as well as the installation of solar panels for Church buildings and schools to help reduce energy costs amid a crippling financial crisis.

The Christian population in Syria has decreased from around 1.5 million at the outbreak of the civil war in 2011 to less than 300,000 in 2024.