Syria

Syrian government forces have intensified their offensive in areas administered by Kurdish-led forces. The advance has been accompanied by support from local Arab tribes, Turkish drones, and Washington’s silent approval, while talks between the central government and the Kurds have failed. There are fears of further destabilisation after Islamic State fighters broke out of prisons previously run by the Kurdish autonomous administration.

The SDF accepts a ceasefire, leaves the city after days of fierce fighting with scores dead, more than a hundred wounded, and 140,000 displaced. Father Karakach asks for prayers, solidarity, and support so that "the voice of Aleppo will not be forgotten." Marist Blues “are traumatised and distressed".

Fighting in Syria’s northern metropolis between the army and YPG forces has entered its third day. The suburbs of Ashrafiyeh and Sheikh Maqsood have been declared "closed military areas”. The authorities imposed a curfew, with one resident calling the situation "terrible and awful”. Turkey offered support to al-Sharaa.

Informed by Damascus and Arab and international media outlets, Lebanese authorities are doubling their surveillance efforts. However, “gaps” in the border between the two countries are hindering the mission. According to the UN, since Assad's fall, 69,000 Syrians, mainly Alawites, have fled to Lebanon, although the data are partial and difficult to verify.

On the night of 31 December, Mohamed Massat stopped an ISIS terrorist who wanted to attack a church, paying for his gesture with his life. Six months ago, there was an attack against Mar Elias in Damascus. Many today praise his courage, pointing to him as an example for Syria today.

One year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, Moscow no longer plays an active role in Syria. But al-Sharaa went to Russia to meet Putin and relations between the two countries are marked by pragmatism, with Damascus still dependent on Russian oil and wheat. The issue of air bases and the port of Tartus.

The US Congress has decided to lift sanctions against Syria, including the infamous Caesar Act (waiting only for Trump's signature). In their 51st letter from Aleppo, the Christian group paints a picture of a country marked by critical issues one year after the fall of Assad. Concerns are growing over a possible Islamist constitution and the plight of women and minorities.

Christian families are returning to the village in the Orontes Valley to claim their homes and lands 14 years after it was occupied by armed Islamists, who killed Fr François Mourad. For Father Ielpo, custos of the Holy Land, every true reconstruction is based “on the strength of faith, and of the power of forgiveness”.

It was launched by educator and activist Jina Achji, who wanted to “offer a space” capable of bringing together and uniting “all communities”. The idea took its first steps in Aleppo in 2012 and has now spread to Hama and Homs. The invitation is to live ‘the present and reality’ by putting aside the ‘lost dream [...] for an imaginary land’.

Syria's Assad regime was considered the narco-state par excellence, but its fall has led to a spread of production on a regional scale. Constant demand and growing distribution fuel trafficking. Among the new production centres is Yemen, home to the Houthi rebels. Today, the heart of production takes place in small laboratories scattered throughout various countries.

Damascus wants to secure the release of fellow citizens who have been detained without trial in Lebanon for years and are ideologically close to HTS. Their arrest was based on ideological motives linked to mere suspicion. According to Lebanese ministerial sources, there are at least 2,100 of them, 55% of whom have never appeared in court. At the root of the controversy are the civil war in Syria and Hezbollah's hegemony.

In northern Syria, the first elections since the fall of Assad were followed by renewed violence. Kurdish authorities say that government troops have imposed a siege, while attacks on checkpoints were reported in Damascus. A witness in Aleppo spoke to AsiaNews about a “terrible night” with people “holed up in their homes.” The understanding for the control of Rojava is at an impasse, while voting was not held in Kurdish areas and Suwayda governorate.