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Syria

• Suicide Bomber Attacks Damascus Church

  

  At least 20 worshippers were killed and dozens of others wounded when a lone attacker targeted the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church near Damascus on June 22nd. Approximately 350 people were inside the church building when the assailant suddenly opened fire and then detonated a suicide vest near the entrance of the church. The resulting blast not only killed those inside the building but also several people who had been standing within the immediate vicinity.

• Islamist Commander Confiscates Land of Christians

  

  The Syrian city of Ras al-Ein, which happens to be located along the country's border with Türkiye, is currently under the control of a coalition of Islamist militias associated with the Turkish-backed rebel group, the Syrian National Army (SNA). In June 2024, a SNA commander named Abdulaziz Al-Sawadi visited the St. Thomas Syriac Orthodox Church in Ras al-Ein and expressed his commitment to develop a positive relationship with the small number of Christians remaining in the area. During his visit, the commander also vowed to provide the believers protection.

• Christian Refuses to Turn Over Christian School

  

  Radwan Muhammad is a Kurdish teacher and headmaster for a Christian school in the city of Afrin in northern Syria. He was ordered by the Sham Legion (Faylaq al-Sham) -- a coalition of Sunni Muslim groups -- to turn over the school building for an Islamic school. According to local sources, Radwan told them, "I will hand you the building in one case only: if Jesus Christ comes to earth again."

• Christians Blocked from Refugee Camps

  

  Christians who have fled war-ravaged areas of Syria are facing continued persecution while trying to seek refuge in camps set up in Jordan, Lebanon and elsewhere. A substantial number of them are being blocked by United Nations officials when attempting to enter the camps because the majority of UN officials working in these countries are Muslims. Subsequently, many of the rejected refugees are being forced to live in hiding elsewhere, risking the danger of deportation and/or possible death if found.

• Christians At Risk

  

  When American troops pulled out of Syria, and Turkish troops moved in to establish a "safe zone" in northeast Syria, there were understandable concerns about the safety of the people living in this area. Turkish authorities gave assurances that their forces would not persecute religious minorities, including a significant number of Christians. However, recent reports have indicated otherwise.

• Turkish Offensive Raises Concerns for Christians

  

  As the Turkish military, along with allied Syrian rebels, continue their operation against Kurdish forces in northern Syria, Christian communities are concerned about the repercussions that may follow. While the campaign is not religiously motivated, believers in the region face particular vulnerabilities.

• Car Bomb Attack on Church

  

  On July 11th, the Syrian-Orthodox church in Qamishli was the target of a car bomb attack. Although there were no known fatalities, at least eleven people were injured. Cars and buildings in the area, including the church facility, sustained serious damages. According to one source, the injuries would have been far worse had the attack happened 30 minutes earlier when the vespers (evening prayers) had ended.

• Christians Facing State of Emergency

  

  Hundreds of thousands of Kurdish people of northern Syria are being forced to flee for their lives as they face attacks from Islamist militias supported by the Turkish military. Many from rural areas surrounding Afrin (a city located in what was considered the Kurdish region) had initially fled into the city. However, on March 18th, Kurdish soldiers in Afrin were also forced to flee, leaving the city under the control of the Islamists. Turkish president Recep Erdogan has promised to repopulate the city with non-Kurdish Arab Syrians who are presently dwelling in Turkey as refugees.

• Jihadists Threaten Damascus

  A new al-Qaeda-led jihadist coalition, Hay'at Tahrir al Sham, recently perpetrated several devastating attacks deep inside the ancient city of Damascus. On March 19th, the jihadist group launched a massive military assault just two kilometres from the walls of the Old City, having entered the area through tunnels. While they were eventually driven back, it is the closest the militants have come to the city centre.

  In recent years, the population of Damascus has swelled from less than two million to well over four million as Syrians, including hundreds of thousands of Christians, have sought sanctuary inside the city's security cordon. The Maronite Archbishop of Damascus, Samir Nassar, writes of "a very bitter Lent," while proclaiming the Resurrected Christ and encouraging the faithful to not give up.

  Ask the Lord to intervene in the Middle East, bringing protection and provision to His suffering people in Syria -- including those who have been forced to leave their homes while fleeing danger. Pray that these steadfast followers will be strengthened and encouraged to continue living wholeheartedly for Him. In spite of the political unrest, may they become even stronger spiritually, so that through their Christian witness many others will seek and find the one true God. Ask Him to grant wisdom to the church leaders, equipping them to minister effectively during these perilous times. Additionally, intercede for all who are opposing God and His people so that they, too, will personally come to know Jesus as Risen Saviour and Lord.

• Couple Reaching Fellow Assyrians

  
  Saif and Naama were forced to
  leave everything behind in Syria.

  An Assyrian couple, along with their family, were forced to leave their home, business and community in northern Syria because of the war. As refugees, they began attending prayer meetings and a Bible study, resulting in the entire family placing their faith in Jesus.

  "Saif" invited 20 more Assyrian families to join the meetings, and many of these families also became new converts. In one meeting, someone asked, "Why would God allow for misery, persecution and destruction to take over the Assyrian people, who first accepted Jesus thousands of years ago and speak His language to date?" To this, "Saif's" wife "Naama" responded: "We, as Assyrians, have known the truth thousands of years ago, yet we have never glorified God or walked in His steps!"

  Although "Saif" and "Naama" recently moved to another country, they hope to plant a church so they can continue their ministry to fellow Assyrian refugees. May the Lord's work continue spreading -- further extending His Kingdom throughout the Middle East!