Restoration work is underway on two 13th-century murals inside a monastery in Nineveh, Iraq. The artworks were severely damaged by ISIS, with a sculptor estimating 80% destruction. The project is led by the monastery’s head, Archpriest Mazen Mattoka, and supported by a French organization. Using historical photos from 1904 and original materials, the team has restored the murals’ colors and details. This effort aims to preserve the Christian heritage of the region and recover the artistic legacy of Syriac artists.
Iraq executed a convicted killer by hanging, closing a sensitive chapter from the 1980s. The man was found guilty of the 1980 murder of Shia cleric Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr and other crimes against humanity. A national security spokesperson stated the execution followed all legal procedures. The convicted individual had been arrested recently and confessed to killing al-Sadr and his sister. This event marks a final legal resolution for historical cases from the former regime era, addressing long-standing grievances in the country.
A resistance group presented documents in a foreign capital, alleging that Iran's Supreme Leader personally ordered a comprehensive repression plan for January 2026. According to the group, these records show the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and foreign militias were deployed to suppress protests. The organization claims thousands died and 50,000 were arrested during the unrest. The documents reportedly detail a strategic escalation from police control to armed military intervention. The Council argues these events mark a turning point toward a democratic transition in Iran.
Beirut, Lebanon: Experts and community leaders warn that the sale of Christian-owned land is erasing the community's political influence. Hisham Bou Nassif argues that losing geographic control alongside demographic decline removes Christians from the national equation. The Maronite League has raised alarms about purchases in regions like Baabda and Chouf. Reports link some acquisitions to Hezbollah via front organizations and sanctioned individuals like Ali Taj al-Din. Statistics show Christian land ownership dropped from 86 percent in 1946 to roughly 36 percent today. Critics blame political elites and the church for failing to address these strategic shifts and alleged illegal land grabs.
Christians in Iraq express deep concern over a potential ISIS resurgence as US forces transfer detained militants from northeastern Syria to Iraq. In response, Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako called for peace, urging the UN and local governments to prioritize dialogue, national security, and religious tolerance. Bishop Bashar Matti Warda echoed these fears, warning that violence in Syria could spill over into Iraq, destabilizing the region. He emphasized that past conflict trauma makes communities vulnerable to renewed sectarian strife and displacement, stressing the need for mutual respect and dialogue to ensure safety.
Syria's Justice Ministry announced that investigators have uncovered key details regarding the bombing of a church near the capital. The ministry stated that the attack was planned and executed by ISIS operatives, specifically identifying individuals as the perpetrators. According to official statements, the attackers conducted surveillance and carried explosives to the site. The ministry also revealed that security forces successfully thwarted a separate planned attack on a religious shrine. Authorities have initiated legal proceedings against those involved to ensure justice is served for the victims and the damage caused to religious sites.
Syria is experiencing increased security challenges and controversial government measures. The Justice Ministry announced upcoming details regarding the investigation into last summer's bombing of a church in the capital. Recent violent incidents include the murder of a Christian man and an armed attack on a doctor in a northern town, as well as a grenade attack on a Christian-owned shop in a major northern city. In the capital, a teenager entered a cathedral reciting Quranic verses. Authorities also imposed high taxes on alcohol and enacted social restrictions, such as bans on makeup for female civil servants and dancing. These events highlight growing religious influence in state affairs.
A news outlet reports that Christian communities in Syria face an uncertain future as the central government reasserts control over northern regions. This shift follows reduced international support for local forces. The analysis argues that historical promises of tolerance are unreliable without constitutional guarantees. It urges Christian groups to unite, demand political rights, and engage the international community to secure protections. The report warns that without a unified political stance, minorities risk being marginalized in the country's new political landscape, highlighting the need for active advocacy to ensure their safety and rights.
A 2025 report by the Palestinian Planning Department states that settlers carried out over 5,538 attacks in the West Bank, killing 17 Palestinians. The article argues this violence is systematic and protected by the Israeli military, which often shields attackers. UN data indicates the highest injury rates in two decades, with more than 220 Palestinians hurt. The text claims these actions aim to displace residents and alter demographics, constituting war crimes. It highlights that over 80 percent of incidents occurred with military presence, creating a culture of impunity for settlers while restricting Palestinian daily life and movement.
Protests continue across Iran since late December, involving diverse groups including Christians. Reports indicate security forces have killed and arrested Iranian Christians, particularly ethnic Armenians. ARTICLE 18 states seven Armenian Christians were killed in a city and another urban center. Barnabas Aid reports at least ten arrests in a specific province, with authorities accusing believers of supporting demonstrations. Meanwhile, some Christians provide humanitarian aid to protesters. Internet blackouts hinder verification of these events, raising fears of arbitrary detention and targeted violence against this vulnerable minority amid the ongoing unrest.
Christian activists in a region of Syria have condemned recent government decisions to close civil registry offices and relocate courts. A political activist warned that shutting down these administrative centers in various towns threatens the community’s stability and legal presence. Reports indicate that the closures affect numerous villages and residents, forcing citizens to travel to other areas for essential services. The activist called for the formation of a political lobby in the United States to advocate for Christian rights and influence US policymakers, urging unity among Syrian Christians to protect their historical presence in the country.
A leader of SOS Middle East Christians warned that Christian populations in the Middle East are shrinking due to violence and pressure. He cited a significant drop in a major Syrian city since 2010. The group attributes this decline to sectarianism and regional instability. A report confirmed rising violence and discrimination in Syria after 2024. Estimates suggest the Christian population in the country fell from millions to between 300,000 and 600,000. The leader urged Europe to provide sustained political and humanitarian support rather than treating Christians as bargaining chips. The organization has operated since 2014 with over 3,000 volunteers.
According to Ankawa.com, citing the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and the People's Mojahedin Organization (PMOI), Iranian security forces have killed over 3,000 protesters since late December 2025. The outlet reports that morgues in a major city and its surrounding areas are full, forcing authorities to store bodies in hospital wards. Additionally, more than 50,000 people have been arrested, with claims of widespread torture and internet blackouts. Maryam Rajavi, the NCRI president, calls for an international truth commission. The protests, spanning 31 provinces, demand the end of the theocratic regime and a democratic republic.
Christian communities in Iraq endure escalating violence and discrimination, with their population declining significantly since 2003. Extremists and Iranian-backed militias threaten villages in northern regions, forcing residents to flee. Women face harassment and honor killings, while men lose jobs due to their faith. Graves were vandalized in specific areas, with local authorities allegedly suppressing evidence. Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako urged Christians to reject corrupt politicians and armed factions, criticizing the government's failure to protect minority rights over the past 15 years. Despite these hardships, the Church asserts that believers will continue fighting for their constitutional rights and survival.
Mass protests have erupted across Iran, including major urban centers, demanding the end of the Islamic Republic established in 1979. Authorities have responded with a severe crackdown that rights groups say has killed hundreds, while also imposing a nationwide internet blackout to hinder coordination. In response, the government organized counter-demonstrations supporting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Analysts note that while the unrest is the most significant since 2022, the regime’s security apparatus remains resilient. Experts suggest that internal divisions within the elite or foreign military intervention would be necessary for the government to fall, though no such splits have emerged yet.
The Chaldean Patriarchate issued a statement identifying political instability, corruption, and unemployment as primary drivers of Christian emigration from Iraq. The document argues that these systemic failures disproportionately affect minorities, exacerbating fears rooted in past violence by ISIS in a city in northern Iraq and surrounding regions. The text asserts that the lack of accountability for rights violations threatens national unity and calls for church unity and political reform to ensure equal citizenship and security for all Iraqis.
Government troops imposed a curfew in specific districts of a major northern city following clashes with local security forces. Thousands of residents, including Christian families, fled the area as the military declared it a closed zone. The violence displaced people to neighboring government-controlled neighborhoods, prompting churches to open shelters for those affected. Initial reports indicate over ten civilian deaths and significant property damage. A representative of the Latin Church expressed regret over the continued violence, emphasizing the urgent need for dialogue rather than armed conflict to resolve the crisis.
A website published a poem celebrating the return of Christians to a village in Iraq. The text references the destruction caused by ISIS and the resilience of the Syriac community. It highlights the rebuilding of churches and the preservation of their ancient language and faith despite displacement. The article underscores the significance of this return for the local population and their spiritual heritage in the Nineveh Plains region.
As Christmas approaches, Christians in Iraq reflect on a shrinking community facing security threats and property seizures. Estimates suggest the population has dropped significantly from pre-2003 levels to roughly 250,000 today. Experts attribute this decline to violence, displacement to other regions or abroad, and the loss of cultural diversity. Religious leaders highlight ongoing discrimination and the need for equal rights. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Justice claims strict procedures protect minority properties from fraud, though observers note billions in assets were lost. Citizens express mixed feelings of hope and sorrow as they celebrate amidst these persistent challenges.
Translated from العربية
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