The new year could have started dramatically for the Christian community in Syria. Just before New Year’s Eve, a terrorist attempted to blow himself up outside a church near Farhat Square in Aleppo. However, the security services managed to prevent this attack. They had been unsuccessful a few days earlier, when, on Christmas Day, grenades exploded at a church in south-western Syria. Only material damage was caused. Since last weekend, the attacks have been followed by an outbreak of violence in northern Aleppo, causing thousands of civilians to flee.
SUICIDE ATTACK THWARTED
According to our sources, soldiers stopped the suicide bomber in Aleppo because they found him suspicious. The man then opened fire and detonated a bomb belt. He was killed, as was one of the soldiers. Two others were injured. There were no church services taking place in the neighbourhood at the time of the attack. A number of clergymen attended the funeral of the soldier who was killed to show their respect.
The terrorist is believed to be affiliated with Islamic State (IS). According to the same sources, IS or groups affiliated with them had planned to carry out attacks on churches and other public gatherings during New Year’s celebrations.
Stricter security measures were already in place around churches and other places where people gather. According to the AFP news agency, the Ministry of the Interior had received indications of plans for attacks, which would mainly target churches and other places where citizens gather in the city of Aleppo.
This thwarted attack evoked memories of June 22nd, six months ago, when a suicide bomber attacked the Mar Elias Church in Dweila, Damascus. Twenty-two Christians were killed and 63 people were injured. The authorities immediately declared that the terrorist had links to IS, although others claimed that he had links to the army. In July 2025, the Syrian government announced that it had prevented an attack in the Tartous area by arresting three alleged terrorists.
GRENADE EXPLOSIONS AT CHRISTMAS
The festive season was anything but peaceful. The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in the south-western Syrian town of Al Zabadini was targeted. The explosions caused only material damage. The perpetrators’ identities remain unknown.
Please pray for the unstable situation in Syria. Although Islamic State no longer controls parts of the country as it did ten years ago, IS supporters are still present and active. Pray that the Syrian government can ensure the safety of Christians and other groups who may be targeted by IS. Give thanks to God for thwarting the attack and pray for the family of the soldier who was killed.
“Most arrived with nothing.”
LATE REPORT: FIGHTING IN ALEPPO
Fighting has taken place in recent days in the northern part of Aleppo between Kurdish SDF forces and the Syrian army. Thousands of civilians are trying to flee the area. Both sides are accusing each other of starting the hostilities.
Christians from the Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood have fled their homes, with some seeking shelter with friends or family and others finding refuge in churches. One of those churches is being helped by a local partner of Open Doors with money for blankets and food: “Most of them arrived with nothing.”
Pray for an end to this escalation of violence. Pray that all parties to the conflict will come to their senses and stop shelling each other. Pray for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between the Kurds and the Syrian government.
Syria is ranked 6th on the 2026 World Watch List.
