In the midst of the civil war, churches and Christian-owned businesses have been targets of bombings by the Islamic State and other extremist groups, and there have been many reports of Christians being abducted, harmed and killed. Even so, many of Syria’s remaining Christians are committed to staying and rebuilding their country. Others are now returning home following IS’s military defeat.
72 Assyrian Christian families captured, 50 besieged by IS after Syria attack
2009 Easter service at St Mary’s Church, Hassaka. Now only 200 Christian families remain in nearby villages.Photo: World Watch Monitor Sources from Syria’s embattled Hassaka province confirmed at midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 24, that at least 72 Assyrian Christian families – thought to be around 200 people – from three […]
IS invades 35 Assyrian towns in Syria
Militants of the self-proclaimed Islamic State launched a fierce offensive before dawn Feb. 23, targeting 35 Assyrian Christian villages in the northeast corner of Syria. The surprise attacks along a 40-kilometer stretch of the Khabour River in Hassaka province forced some 3,000 Christians to flee their homes. A teenage […]
Dispatch from Aleppo
Free Syrian Army fight government forces, north of Aleppo 21 Aug 2012Photo: CC/ Christiaan Triebert From today World Watch Monitor will publish an occasional diary from a Christian pastor living in Aleppo, the Syrian city that has become a key battleground between rebels and President Assad’s government forces. After […]
Syrian Christians have wedding despite IS threat
Just 15 miles away from territory now occupied by Islamic State, the Syrian Christians of Qamishli gathered in the church of the Holy Virgin for the wedding of Malek Aissa and Ilana Hacho. At the wedding priests told the Independent how IS has brought their church to its knees. The […]
‘We’re tired, so tired …there’s so much to do and we’re only human’
‘We are tired, so tired…It is going on so long and there is so much to do. We are only human.’ Sylvia works in her home town of Aleppo with internally displaced people (IDPs) who’ve fled other parts of Syria. She’s one of a group of young Syrians speaking about […]
All Knayeh hostages free
NOTE: This report, originally posted Oct. 8, is updated to include the release of all hostages The last of a group of 20 Syrian Christians kidnapped Oct. 5 have been released as their pastor awaits trial before an Islamic court. Rev. Hanna Jallouf, a Franciscan priest in the northeastern Syria town of Knayeh, was abducted with about 20 […]
UN urged to protect Syria’s civilians
Open Doors International, a global charity serving Christians who are under pressure because of their faith, has joined 38 non-governmental organizations in a campaign demanding diplomatic action to protect civilians amid Syria’s civil war. The campaign, called ‘With Syria,’ intends to redouble pressure on United Nations members to live up […]
Documents indicate Turkey connection to bishops’ kidnappers
When police arrested Magomed Abdurrahmanov in Turkey about a year ago, word spread quickly that the suspected kidnapper of two prominent Syrian bishops had been caught. The Turkish government, however, said the man they had arrested, and his companions, were nothing to worry about. Officials said they were foreigners with […]
Keeping hope alive in Syria
A friend and colleague of murdered Jesuit priest Father Frans van der Lugt has received more aid to continue to helping destitute families in Syria. Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need is supporting a pastoral centre in the city of Homs headed by Fr Ziad Hilal SJ. The […]
First Christian ever to run for Syrian presidency
Shamih Mikhael Moussa, born in Btaiha, Syria in 1963, is the first Christian trying to run for President of the Arab Republic. The deadline for submitting one’s application for candidacy to the Constitutional Court expired on May 1, but the country’s 3 June presidential elections, anticipates another win by President […]