Syria

| GATEWAY TO THE EAST

The vote is scheduled for mid-September to signal a return to normalcy, but a third of parliamentarians will still be appointed by al-Sharaa, there are no political parties, and the current constitution does not provide for autonomy for certain provinces. The issues in Rojava, the Kurdish-majority region, and the southern governorate of Suwayda, home to the Druze. Meanwhile, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has denounced abuses against Alawite women.


In a week of clashes between Druze, Bedouins and government forces, over a thousand civilians and combatants were killed, including Christian families and the Druze evangelical pastor Khalid Mezheri. The Latin Church and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate are calling for urgent intervention by the international community and denouncing the role of militias that still escape Damascus' control and external interference. L'Œuvre d'Orient reports hundreds of displaced persons without food or water. Apostolic Vicar of Aleppo Hanna Jallouf: ‘Only dialogue can save Syria.’

| 22/07/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST

Leo XIV has approved the election of the new leader of the Franciscan presence in the Holy Places, following in the footsteps of the saint of Assisi. Italian, 55 years old, the new custos takes over from Francesco Patton who has reached the end of his mandate. For the Minister General of the Friars Minor Massimo Fusarelli, "The particular context of conflict and violence” in the Holy Land and in the Middle East “makes our mission in these places even more urgent.”

| 24/06/2025
| VATICAN – HOLY LAND
by Fady Noun

This afternoon, the funerals of the victims of the massacre were presided over by Greek Orthodox Patriarch John X Yazigi. The Christian community is still in shock, entire families decimated. Syrian authorities have arrested six people linked to the attack and promise justice. But the climate of mistrust remains and the desire to flee in a ‘security vacuum’ is growing.

| 24/06/2025
| LEBANON - SYRIA
by Dario Salvi

The government blames the Islamic State group for yesterday’s attack that left dozens of Christian dead, but amid the uncertainty no one has yet claimed responsibility. A source spoke to AsiaNews complaining that the authorities are busy implementing the Sharia and signing deals with Qatar and Turkey rather than “building a real nation”.  Father Jihad (Mar Musa) warns against falling into the trap of attacking the country’s reconstruction work. The Ordinaries of the Holy Land slammed the “barbaric act” that caused “profound shock and deep revulsion”.

| 23/06/2025
| SYRIA

Developed by Iran for 20 years as a deterrent, the "Axis of Resistance" is keeping a low profile in this war. From the Iraqi prime minister to the religious leader al-Sadr, the order is to "silence" the "reckless voices" that want to start a war. At least 20 Muslim and Arab nations sign a statement for a nuclear-free Middle East "without exceptions" (a reference to Israel).

| 18/06/2025
| IRAQ – IRAN – ISRAEL
by Fady Noun

On the eve of the Eid al-Adha holiday, Israel launched one of its most impressive attacks. Aoun tried in vain to stop the military operation while Israel’s Defence Minister issued new threats. Hezbollah is using Iranian-style "slow diplomacy". Impatience is growing in Israel over US policies in the region.

| 06/06/2025
| LEBANON – ISRAEL
Editor's choices
 
The Indian Bishops' Conference denounces the arrest of two nuns in Agra on blatantly false charges of “forced conversions”. ‘Christian nuns are increasingly being followed by social agitators, who surround them at railway stations, ...
| 28/07/2025
| INDIA
 
by Gianni Criveller
The diplomat, who has just taken up his post as his country’s representative to the Holy See, recounts his meeting with Leo XIV. Taiwan helped the pontiff “when he served in Peru”.  Leo “said that he will pray for Taiwan.” ...
| 24/07/2025
| RED LANTERNS
 
In a week of clashes between Druze, Bedouins and government forces, over a thousand civilians and combatants were killed, including Christian families and the Druze evangelical pastor Khalid Mezheri. The Latin Church and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate ...
| 22/07/2025
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
 
by Nirmala Carvalho
In the state that includes Mumbai, the state government is targeting people who allegedly hide their conversion to Christianity to avoid losing benefits reserved for disadvantaged groups. The state legislature is expected to vet a new anti-conversion ...
| 19/07/2025
| INDIA
 
by Dario Salvi
An attack this morning hit the Church of the Holy Family, leaving at least six people seriously injured and causing damage to the building. Among those hit was the parish priest, Fr Romanelli. The Patriarchal Vicar for Israel and Palestine: “They ...
| 17/07/2025
| ISRAEL - PALESTINE
 
A new report accuses Chinese state-owned companies of supporting the Burmese junta's arms production for over a decade, particularly at the DI 21 military plant, where aerial bombs used against the population are manufactured. This ongoing support ...
| 17/07/2025
| RED LANTERNS
 
by Steve Suwannarat
As border posts along the 800-kilometre border remain effectively closed, Cambodia announced the introduction of compulsory military service in 2026. The domestic situation in the two countries is fuelling the dispute, as both face strong nationalist ...
| 16/07/2025
| CAMBODIA – THAILAND
 
by Vladimir Rozanskij
Cotton remains one of the country's main exports, but earnings are steadily declining. The problem stems from the large increase in cotton production in other countries, such as the United States and India, where stocks are at historic highs. And ...
| 16/07/2025
| TAJIKISTAN
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”