- Country Information
Population
22,933,531(2023 est.)Ethnicity (%)
Arab (50), Alawite (15) Kurd (10), Levantine (10) other (15)Religion (%)
Muslim (87), Christian (10), Druze (3)Leader
Interim President Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa (January 2025)Government type
In transitionLegal system
Mixed legal system of civil and Islamic law (for family courts)Source: CIA World Factbook.
- Pray for Syria
Pray that the Lord of hosts will intervene in Syria to "preserve all who love Him" and "frustrate the way of the wicked" (Psalm 145:20; Psalm 146:9). Ask that the Spirit of God will subvert the rebellion of the militant groups so the "will for peace" shall indeed prevail over "the will for war." May the Lord provide for Syria's churches, ensuring that they are adequately equipped with the necessary ministry tools, resources and workers to continue faithfully serving and ministering as lights in the darkness (Matthew 5:14-16).
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Syria News
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Pastor and Family Killed in Targeted Attack
Photo: Unsplash / Sara Calado
A pastor and several members of his family were killed in Syria on July 16th during what church officials have described as a "targeted massacre." While initial reports confirmed at least 12 fatalities, other sources indicate that more than 20 people were possibly killed, including Pastor Khaled Mazher, his parents, as well as his sisters and their children.
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Suicide Bomber Attacks Damascus Church
The Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church after the bombing.
Photo: Middle East ConcernAt 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.
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Islamist Commander Confiscates Land of Christians
A farmer in Syria.
Photo: UN Development Programme (cc)
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.
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Christian Refuses to Turn Over Christian School
The Sham Legion is a group of 19
Islamist rebel groups in Syria.
Photo: Wikipedia / Qasioun News Agency (cc)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."
