Syrian Churches Quietly Meet Following Violent Attack April 10, 2026 — While Syrian Christians usually celebrate Easter with parades and various children’s activities, no celebrations took place this year. Christians simply attended prayer meetings inside their churches. This follows an incident...
Continued Dangers for Lebanese Christian Population, Political LeadershipApril 9, 2026 — After a period of relative peace — at least away from the country’s southern border with Israel — Lebanon has again found itself amid a bloody kinetic war. U.N. estimates...
Damascus Experiments with Restrictive Religious Social Codes March 23, 2026 — A decree issued in the Syrian capital of Damascus last week restricted the sale of alcohol, the latest incident hinting at increased religious conservatism under the leadership of Islamist president...
Economic Persecution: Displacement (Part 4 of 5)March 12, 2026 — By Lisa Navarrette, ICC Fellow Persecution doesn’t end when a family flees. Often, displacement is not the conclusion of suffering. It is often the beginning of a deeper economic unraveling....
Kurdish Commander Appointed to New Role as Syria’s Deputy Minister of Defense March 11, 2026 — Leaders in Damascus have appointed outspoken Kurdish commander Sipan Hemo to serve as the new Deputy Minister of Defense, a position that will reportedly focus mainly on eastern Syria. The news comes amid growing efforts by...
Islamic State Announces ‘New Phase’ in Syria as U.S. Military WithdrawsFebruary 25, 2026 — The Islamic State terror group has launched an unusual series of attacks in Syria during the last week, part of what it calls a “new phase of operations” against the...
Families of ISIS Fighters Escape Refugee CampFebruary 24, 2026 — According to U.S. intelligence sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, about 15,000 to 20,000 family members of Islamic State fighters have escaped Syria’s Al-Hol refugee camp, where many have...
Religious Registration Laws in the Middle East October 16, 2025 — By Joseph Daniel, ICC Fellow I remember years ago when I filled out my first visa form in the Middle East, I paused at a line that startled me: “What...
Update on Syria: A New Era or More of the Same for Syrian Christians?September 19, 2025 — By Linda Burkle, Ph.D., ICC Fellow Several years ago, while in Jordan, I had the privilege of participating in a feeding and grocery distribution program for Syrian refugees. We served...
Several U.S. Diplomats to Syria Removed as Integration of Syrian Minorities is Debated September 18, 2025 — Syria (International Christian Concern) — News broke early Thursday that several of the seniormost U.S. diplomatic officials working on Syria were abruptly removed from their posts in recent days. ...
New Bill in Congress Condemns Christian Persecution in Muslim-Majority Nations July 24, 2025 — 7/25/2025 United States (International Christian Concern) — Legislators introduced a bill on July 17 condemning the mass persecution of Christians in Muslim-majority countries and encouraging more U.S. involvement to protect...
U.S. Lifts Sanctions on SyriaJuly 3, 2025 — 7/3/2025 Syria (International Christian Concern) — The White House this week announced the official easing of sanctions on Syria, a move that follows an in-person meeting between U.S. President Donald...
Syrian Church Bombing Comes Amid Growing Threat from Islamic State June 25, 2025 — 6/25/2025 Syria (International Christian Concern) — A lone gunman wearing explosives entered the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church near Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, opening fire on congregants before detonating his...
Suicide Bomber Attacks Church in SyriaJune 23, 2025 — 6/22/2025 Syria (International Christian Concern) — A suicide bomber detonated himself during worship on Sunday inside Mar Elyas Greek Orthodox Church in the Dwelia neighborhood of Damascus, Syria. The...
U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Syria Despite Uncertain Future for Human Rights May 15, 2025 — 5/15/2025 Syria (International Christian Concern) — On the sidelines of a trip to the Middle East this week, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi...
Turkey Suspected in Drone Strike Violation of Ceasefire in Northern Syria April 30, 2025 — 4/29/2025 Syria (International Christian Concern) — Speaking next to a small, still-smoking crater in the ground, David Eubank of Free Burma Rangers recorded a video this weekend documenting a suspected...
