More than 1,300 people, including at least three Christians, have been killed in a series of attacks in Syria. Many church services have been cancelled, whilst Christians in the area are increasingly fearful for their safety and are considering leaving the country. The violence broke out on Thursday (6 March) in the Alawite-majority areas of western Syria when supporters of former president, Bashar al-Assad, took up arms and attacked security forces of the new regime. Assad – who was overthrown last year – belongs to the Alawites, a branch of Shia Islam that is a minority in Syria. The area targeted was a stronghold of the Assad regime.
