An evangelical pastor and approximately 20 of his family members were killed over the weekend in what Christian leaders have described as a targeted massacre amid escalating violence in southern Syria.
Pastor Khalid Mezher, who led the Good Shepherd Evangelical Church in Suwayda, was murdered alongside his parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and other close relatives. Mezher and his family had converted from the Druze faith to Christianity several years ago and remained in Suwayda despite growing tensions and threats.
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The massacre occurred during ongoing clashes between Sunni Bedouin fighters and Druze militias in the region, as reported by The Christian Post. The violence has claimed more than 250 lives in the past week and left many areas, including Suwayda, without food, water, electricity or internet.
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Christian organizations and regional church leaders responded with grief and condemnation. The Archdiocese of Bosra, Hauran, Jabal al-Arab and the Golan described the continuing violence as “savage” and said it had taken the lives of “young and old.” In a statement, the archdiocese called for “urgent humanitarian intervention” as Suwayda remained under siege.
A local Arab pastor wrote to supporters that the church in Suwayda is now “scattered” and said Mezher and his family were killed “for his faith.” The pastor added that remaining Christians are “cut off from food, water, electricity, internet and hope for safety.”
Johnnie Moore, executive director of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, called the attack a “senseless murder” by terrorists. Posting on X, Moore wrote that Mezher “died for a faith that many Christians hardly live,” and that his family “gave their entire lives … to share the love of Jesus with their neighbors and beloved Syria.”
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A Syrian Orthodox Church appeal urged the United Nations and international organizations to act swiftly to stop what it described as “terrorist massacres.” The statement described the crisis as dire and called for global prayer, citing mounting casualties and widespread displacement.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charism Media.
