The report, released on Thursday, documents incidents involving Christians, Alawites, Druze, and Shia Muslims between July and September, raising concerns about the safety of religious minorities under Syria's transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
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Among the Christian victims identified by CSI was Rani Halawa, whose body was found on 3 July near Jaramana, a town on the outskirts of Daramsuq (Damascus) with a significant Christian population. Fadi al-Shaer, a Christian from Kafr Buhum in Hemto (Hama) Governorate, was abducted at gunpoint alongside his daughter on 8 July. His body was later found with gunshot wounds, while his daughter was released.
Nader Tannous, a Christian who had recently returned from Sweden, was shot and killed 15 August in Hmoth (Homs) while returning home from work at a hair salon he had opened in the city. On 30 September, the body of George Nema, another Christian, was found murdered at his farm in Qaya, in Latakia Governorate.
The report also highlighted continuing harassment and violence against Christian communities. On 27 July, armed men from the nearby town of Qalaat al-Madiq entered Suqaylabiyah, a predominantly Christian town in Hama province, and opened fire near a cafe. The incident followed earlier violence against the town, including a March attack that damaged Christian homes, businesses and vehicles, as documented by the Associated Press.
On 29 August, Islamist militants reportedly attacked a liquor store in Kafr Buhum, creating panic among residents. CSI said repeated incidents of intimidation and violence have contributed to emigration from Christian communities.
The report also noted the continued detention of Suleiman Khalil, the former mayor of the Assyrian Orthodox town of Sadad, who has been held since February 2025 without formal charges or access to a lawyer, according to the organization.
CSI's findings come amid broader concerns about the protection of minorities following the 8 December 2024, collapse of the authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Assad. Al-Sharaa's administration has pledged to protect Syrians regardless of religious or ethnic background, but its security forces include members of questionable background.
Government and government-aligned forces were implicated in mass killings of Alawite civilians in March 2025 and Druze civilians in July 2025. CSI issued a genocide warning for Syria following the March violence.
The organization's latest report also documents killings, abductions, and arbitrary detentions affecting other minority communities, including allegations of sexual violence and forced marriage involving Alawite women and girls.
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