Syria has jumped into the top 10 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution, according to the Open Doors World Watch List.
The country jumped from 18th place last year to 6th this year – the biggest rise in more than a decade – amid a surge in violence against believers.
“Key factors [for the rise] include attacks on churches, the closure of Christian schools in the northeast, and a rise in Christian fatalities,” Open Doors says, citing activity related to the Islamic State group.
“The expansion of local militias and other armed actors has increased intimidation, extortion and targeted attacks. Many churches have paused activities for security reasons, especially following the deadly June 2025 church bombing in Damascus.”
As with 2025, North Korea, Somalia and Yemen remain at the top of this year’s 50-nation Christian persecution list. Notable increases in persecution occurred in Sudan, Tajikistan and Nepal.
In Latin America, Cuba is number 24 on the World Watch List, making it the most hostile country for believers in the region.
Nigeria remains a global epicentre of persecution where, according to Open Doors, “Christians suffer from a suffocating combination of ethno-religious hostility, Islamic oppression, religious nationalism, dictatorial paranoia and organised corruption and crime.”
Open Doors estimates that one in seven Christians worldwide, or more than 388 million people, face high to extreme levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith.
Behind the statistics are stories of courage and faith. In a poignant testimony in the report, Open Doors noted the passing of an itinerant evangelist in a region bordering North Korea, the most dangerous country on the list.
There, the regime allows absolutely no freedom of religion or belief. If Christians are discovered, they and their families are deported to labour camps or killed on the spot.
Evangelist Cho [not his real name] roamed the mountainous forests on the border, searching for those escaping from North Korea. Although risking arrest himself, he took refugees to a safe house in China where they would receive care and hear the gospel.
A colleague offered this tribute to Cho’s work: “North Korean defectors – people hiding in fear, far from home, and living with the constant threat of being discovered – for them, even meeting another person could mean danger, robbery, or worse,” Cho’s friend said.
“To the forgotten, the hidden, and the afraid, Evangelist Cho became the hands and feet of Jesus. His presence offered peace. His integrity offered security. His faith offered hope.
“Here’s a spiritual giant who goes into the woods day in, day out, to find North Korean refugees. He wins their trust by continuing to return, and eventually they ask him the key question: ‘Why?’ That’s the door to the gospel.”
