Middle East

The Vicariate of North Arabia promoted a two-day event on the subject, with the participation of Vatican and religious personalities from Asia. Sister Milagros Sandoval: a ‘stimulating’ experience full of ‘challenges’. Bishop Berardi: women ‘essential’ for the ‘prosperity of the mission’. In times ‘of darkness’ this encounter becomes ‘light of hope’.

From Istanbul, the director of the Dominican Study Institute spoke to AsiaNews with a mixture of "exaltation" and "surprise” at the fall of the Assad regime. Turkey has denied rumours that it was directly involved in the regime’s overthrow, highlighting the "need for a transition". For Iran’s Khamenei, the fall is part of a "plan" by the US and Israel (and Turkey, without naming it).

Fr Jihad Youssef, superior of the community founded by Fr Dall'Oglio, reflects about the situation created by the fall of the Assad regime. For him, it is impossible for Christians to remain in the Middle East if they confront and compete with Muslims. It takes "courage" to be a "small flock". The concept of dhimmah should be turned into a form of “dynamic interaction”. Meanwhile, HST rebel leader wants those responsible for crimes and torture to be returned to Syria. Israel carries out hundreds airstrikes, its tanks are 20 km from Damascus.

Lebanon reflects on the sudden collapse of the Damascus regime. Many Lebanese and displaced Syrians celebrate the day as a historic and decisive event for the future. The fear of a new tyranny to replace the one that has just been overthrown alternates with the hope for a democratic and coexisting Syria. Hezbollah has lost a powerful ally but this does not necessarily lead to a softening of its positions.

Leader al-Jawlani spoke from the historic Umayyad mosque. UN Security Council meeting today. The apostolic nuncio calls for the lifting of sanctions, a ‘burden’ that ‘weighs on the poor people’. Fr Karakach's testimony to AsiaNews: ‘We hope that what happened will unblock the political situation’. Christians ‘citizens who have rights and duties equal to all’.

Moscow granted asylum to the leader of the Damascus regime that collapsed in a few days under the offensive of Islamic militias from the north. In Soviet times, Syria was considered the ‘sixteenth republic’ of the Union, but Moscow's relationship with Damascus is much older, also due to ties with the patriarchate of Antioch. The node of the military bases in Tartus and Latakia, over which they will try to negotiate with the country's new leadership.

In a message on social media, Monsignor Jallouf denied the ‘news’ that had been spread online that Hts had entrusted him with the leadership of the city. The prelate speaks of ‘lies’ and ‘shame’, reiterating that ‘meddling in politics is not the Church's mission’. To AsiaNews, the parish priest speaks of a ‘disoriented and confused’ community that must be ‘encouraged’. Rebels at the gates of Homs.

Fr. Bahjat Karakach speaks to AsiaNews from the northern city now controlled by opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. The anti-Assad front is targeting Hama, while in the conquered territories it promises protection for minorities. The parish is the distribution point for aid, but resources are limited. A people ‘exhausted by years of suffering and stalemate’.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are forced to pull back From Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Tel Rifaat from advancing pro-Turkish forces. HTS promises of "inclusiveness" find few takers. Meanwhile, government forces and allied militias are trying to push back rebel advance towards Hama.

The president-elect appoints the Lebanese-American as advisor for the region. He was the main architect of the victory in the ‘swing states’. For the Tycoon he is a ‘good negotiator’ and an ‘unwavering supporter’ of peace, but at the same time he is considered an ‘ardent defender of the United States and its interests’.

Bishop Jallouf describes scenes of chaos as people flee amid blocked roads. About 90 per cent of Aleppo “is in rebel control ", but Christians “have not been harmed”. Sources in Damascus told AsiaNews that the "situation is calm" now, but the picture is "very complicated". Pro-Assad fighters have come from Iran and Iraq. The death toll is now in the hundreds.

While the ceasefire with Israel is holding tenuously, reports emerge from the areas hardest hit by the war. The agreement came on the day of a Marian feast, just as it did in 2006. The damage caused by the heavy bombardment in the last hours before the truce came into effect. A nun from Nabatyeh: ‘The entire city is dead, our school will not be able to reopen until February’.