Orthodox Church of St. Michael Burned and Looted in Syria

Photo: eremnews.com

SYRIA — On July 16, 2025, the Orthodox Church of St. Michael, belonging to the Antiochian Orthodox Church, was set on fire and looted in the Syrian village of al-Sura al-Kabira, according to Erem News.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights states that the assault on the church was accompanied by the destruction of civilian homes, the burning of residential buildings, and looting.

The armed group responsible for the attack claimed to be members of the Sunni Arab tribe al-Shaitat. According to their own statements, their goal is to establish full control over the village of al-Sura al-Kabira.

Human rights observers note that the nature of the attack — including the burning of the Orthodox church and the destruction of civilian homes — suggests a possible religious motivation. The group’s actions may have been intended to increase pressure on the region’s Christian and Druze communities.

Photo: eremnews.com

Local sources report that the village of al-Sura al-Kabira is now under the control of the armed group composed of members of the al-Shaitat tribe.

The Church of St. Michael is located in an area that had previously suffered destruction during the Syrian civil war. In particular, in 2014, the village temporarily fell under the control of factions linked to former Islamist coalition leader Abu Muhammad al-Julani of Jabhat al-Nusra.

The recent escalation of conflict in the As-Suwayda governorate has led to dozens of casualties and injuries, as well as the mass displacement of civilians. The situation in the region is described as highly unstable.

Previously, UOJ reported that flyers calling for the killing of Christians had appeared on church doors in Syria.

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