The Situation of Syrian Refugees After the End of the War

David Cheon

Member of the Middle East and Arab Studies Association

After nearly 15 years of war between the Syrian government forces and rebel groups, which began in the wake of the Arab Spring in 2011, the conflict miraculously came to an end in December 2024 with the victory of HTS (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, هيئة تحرير الشام). However, Syria remains deeply unstable in many aspects.

During my visit to Lebanon last winter, I met many Syrian refugees who had returned to Syria after hearing news of the war’s end, only to find that the reality was far different from what they had expected. Disillusioned, they made their way back to Lebanon. Likewise, many of my friends who had crossed from Turkey into Syria quickly regretted their decision, facing a harsh reality with no jobs or homes to return to. Because of these conditions, most refugees are still hesitant and prefer to wait and see how the situation unfolds before making any decisions.

During holidays, borders are temporarily opened, and many refugees take this opportunity to send some family members back first to assess conditions and prepare for the return of the rest. However, news of massacres targeting Alawites and Christians in Latakia, as well as reports of violent clashes involving the Druze community in Damascus—once considered relatively safe—are causing many to reconsider their plans.

Meanwhile, the Syrian government has transitioned its military recruitment to a voluntary system, offering a salary of $800 per month to attract young men. However, some recruits, upon realizing that jihadist ideology is being taught within the military, have fled. Still, many see Al-Shara as a savior who will restore stability to Syria. However, doubts remain about whether he can truly bring lasting peace, especially considering his background as a former jihadist and his appointment a Muslim leader with no formal legal education as the Minister of Justice.

The Present and Future of Syrian Refugee Ministry

Since the war ended, I have been receiving many inquiries, with one recurring question: “What will happen to refugee ministry once all the refugees return?” However, I believe that this moment is actually the most critical phase for refugee ministry.

Many refugees wish to stay where they are so their children can complete their education, while others, having already established jobs and livelihoods, are reluctant to return to a country where everything has collapsed. Witnessing this, I am reminded of the Israelites, who, even after being freed from Babylonian captivity, did not return all at once but in three separate waves. I firmly believe that God is speaking to this people in a special way at this time.

When the Israelites were freed from Babylon, God gave them His word through Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, each relevant to their particular moment in history. Likewise, I believe that God is speaking to the Syrian people now, in ways they could not have heard during their years of stability in Syria. Throughout the Bible, many individuals encountered God’s calling when they were in exile or displacement. They responded to His call and became part of His divine work.

God is both the one who wounds and the one who heals. If He has allowed the Syrian people to endure the pain of displacement, it is ultimately for the purpose of restoration. Before the refugees return to a stable Syria, I fervently pray that they will listen and respond to the word that God is speaking to them in this season of uncertainty and hardship.

Syrian Refugee Ministry in Lebanon        

The children in the refugee camp

Last winter, during our ministry among refugees in Lebanon, God revealed many things to us. We worked in a city near the eastern Syrian border, where the refugees lived in far more desperate conditions than those in Türkiye. It was heartbreaking to see people who had spent nearly 15 years in makeshift tents since the early days of the war. However, I was encouraged to witness the dedication of many churches and mission organizations that were serving them with unwavering commitment.

In one refugee settlement, a child guided us around the area, showing us different parts of the camp. Finally, he led us to a school run by a Korean missionary and excitedly shouted, “Money, money!” It was clear that many people had visited before, offering financial assistance. While this initially left me with mixed emotions, my perspective changed as our ministry continued. I came to realize that it wasn’t just financial aid being given—these churches and organizations had also sown seeds of God’s love, service, and dedication.

During our visit, we were invited into a refugee family's tent for a meal and tea. As we sat in fellowship, children from the camp gathered around and started singing. To my surprise, the songs they sang were Christian hymns! It turned out that most of the children in the settlement were familiar with hymns, and as their voices echoed through the camp, it became a powerful moment of worship. These children were attending schools run by churches, and because of this, many families had open hearts toward the church and the messages being shared there.

One of the most moving encounters was with a family where all three siblings were blind. Despite their disability, they radiated joy and possessed remarkable confidence and optimism about their future. They were attending a school for the blind, run by a Christian organization, where they were learning to play musical instruments. One of the sisters had even become a music teacher herself. Though they had not yet accepted Christ, their lives were already deeply connected to the church, and I sensed that their moment of salvation was near.

We invited people we had met to a special gathering—a "Gospel Camp," where we spent half a day engaging in deep conversations and sharing the Jesus Film. Unlike other gatherings, we made it clear in advance that we would not be offering any gifts or financial assistance—only the message of Jesus. Despite this, those who attended sang worship songs with incredible passion and eagerly embraced every message shared. I have conducted many Gospel Camps, but I had never seen such a strong response in such a short time. It was evident that many seeds had already been planted, and now was the time for harvest.

I felt ashamed of my previous assumption that other organizations were only doing financial aid work. In reality, the seeds they had sown were bearing fruit, and God was using them to bring revival among the Syrian people. Though I had never met these other workers before, I felt a deep sense of partnership with them. Their labor was not in vain, and I now believe more firmly than ever that God is nurturing and gathering the harvest from the seeds they planted. Even in moments when ministry in Türkiye seemed fruitless, I found comfort and encouragement, knowing that God sees every act of service and is working through it.

The Role of the Korean Church in the Syrian Refugee Crisis

Lately, I have been reflecting on the early missionaries who came to Korea.

How did Korea, once devastated by Japanese colonial rule and the Korean War, manage to rebuild itself? I firmly believe that the missionaries who came to Korea and the churches they established played a crucial role in the country’s restoration. Syria’s situation today mirrors that of post-war Korea. Everything has collapsed, and a new beginning is on the horizon. I believe that God is calling the Korean church to play a role in Syria’s restoration, just as missionaries once did for Korea. After the war, Korea rose again because countless churches fervently cried out to God in prayer. Through their prayers and desperate petitions, God worked powerfully and rebuilt the nation.

In the Book of Ezra, we find God's command to the returning exiles:

"The Lord, the God of Israel, is the true God. Let His people go up to Jerusalem in Judah and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—He is the God who is in Jerusalem." (Ezra 1:2)

"Rebuild the house of the Lord."

I believe this is the key to Syria’s true restoration.

Just as the fervent prayers of the Korean church led to Korea’s revival, now is the time for the house of the Lord to be established in Syria. As the Syrian church rises and cries out in the name of Jesus Christ, God will awaken the nation’s youth and bring about true restoration and revival.

KAIROS!

The war has ended, and God’s appointed time has come. Now is the time to pray together, that God’s dreams and visions for the Syrian people may be fulfilled, and that His work may be accomplished in their land.