Syria

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service AMMAN, JORDAN (BosNewsLife)-- Preparations were underway in Jordan's capital Amman for "the first ever Christmas meal for Christian refugee children from Iraq and Syria" who have been "mostly ignored by Islamic charities," organizers said.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BosNewsLife)-- An influential Anglican leader in Iraq said Saturday, August 24, he was thinking of the Bible's warning not to be alarmed amid warfare as dozens of people were killed nearby in the capital Baghdad, while neighboring Syria was rocked by apparently new chemical weapons attack revelations.

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent BosNewsLife DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- Leaders of Syria's embattled Christian minority urged prayers Monday, January 20, as prospects for a peace conference in Geneva were thrown into doubt after the opposition threatened to withdraw from the planned talks. The Syrian Opposition Coalition, which had only voted to attend the day before, said it was suspending its decision because the United Nations unexpectedly invited Iran to the January 22 conference, also known as 'Geneva II'.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with BosNewsLife Stefan J. Bos and reporting from the region DAMASCUS/WASHINGTON (BosNewsLife)–- Syrian Christians are reportedly targeted by rebels linked to Islamic terror groups and it remained unclear Thursday, August 23, whether everyone fleeing the violence would be able to reach neighboring Turkey.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service and BosNewsLife's Chief International Correspondent Stefan J. Bos DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- Thousands of Christians have fled their homes in Syria where news emerged Tuesday, July 3, that intelligence agencies run dozens of torture centers where detainees are beaten with batons and cables, burned with acid, sexually assaulted, and have fingernails torn out.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- A Dutch priest, who became known for his insistence on staying in the war-torn Syrian city of Homs, was shot dead there Monday, April 7, by suspected Islamic militants, Catholic sources said.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- Syrian President Bashar Assad on Sunday, January 6, called rebels "enemies of God," amid reports that some of them beheaded a Christian man and fed his body to dogs.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- Suspected Islamic gunmen shot dead at least 11 people, mostly Christians, in central Syria on Saturday, August 17, in what local residents and activists said was the latest in a series of attacks on the country's Christian minority.

By BosNewsLife Middle East Service DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- Christians in war-torn Syria have marked one month since the kidnapping of two bishops near the Turkish border with a new appeal for their release, amid mounting concerns about the leaders' safety and health.

By BosNewsLife News Center with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos BEIRUT/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Hungary's foreign minister has urged the international community to support Lebanon's stability and protect Christians in the region amid concerns about rising sectarian tensions.