Maaloula, Syria: A town steeped in history and faith, Maaloula remains one of the few places where the ancient Aramaic language, once spoken by Jesus, is still heard. However, this heritage is now under grave threat as the town's Aramaic Christian population faces an onslaught from Islamist militants.

Over the past two weeks, Maaloula's Christian residents have endured relentless violence, forced displacement, and the loss of their ancestral lands. Reports indicate that the town's Christian population, once over 1,000 strong, has dwindled to fewer than 200. Fear grips the community as militants intensify efforts to seize homes and farmland, driving the remaining Arameans closer to extinction.

A Community in Crisis

Local sources report that armed militants, led by the Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade of the Syrian National Army, have raided homes, threatened families, and demanded Christians vacate the area. One harrowing incident occurred when a Christian farmer defending his property was attacked by armed assailants. Surveillance footage, submitted to authorities in Damascus, confirmed his actions were in self-defense, yet extremists now seek retaliation, openly calling for ethnic cleansing.

Maaloula has also been cut off from the outside world. With no internet or phone service, residents are isolated, leaving them unable to seek timely assistance. Social media, meanwhile, has become a platform for extremists, amplifying calls for the expulsion of Christians from the town.

A History at Risk

\Maaloula is not just a town but a symbol of Syria’s rich cultural and spiritual legacy. Its Aramaic-speaking community represents an unbroken link to a 3,000-year history in the region. Yet, the recent surge in violence has forced nearly 80 of the area’s 325 Christian families to flee.

The Arameans, indigenous to Southeast Türkiye, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, were once a thriving community. In 2011, Christians comprised 8–10% of Syria's 21 million population. Today, fewer than 400,000 remain in the country, with Maaloula’s unique Aramean identity hanging by a thread.

A Call for Action

The international community must act decisively to prevent the erasure of Maaloula’s Aramaic Christians. Restoring security and implementing a fair political process are critical. A new Syrian constitution should ensure justice and equality for all citizens, while recognizing and preserving the rights of indigenous communities like the Arameans.

Each day of inaction pushes Maaloula closer to losing its people and their invaluable cultural and spiritual heritage. Failure to intervene would not only devastate this historic community but also tarnish the credibility of global institutions like the United Nations. The world must not remain silent as an ancient civilization faces extinction.