Name: Syrians celebrate Christmas amid uncertainty after renewed fighting
Uploaded: 2025-12-25T10:23:04.253Z
Duration: 4 min 41 s
Description: Christians in Aleppo celebrate Christmas cautiously following a deadly church attack in Damascus and renewed fighting in the city.

Christians in Aleppo celebrate Christmas cautiously following a deadly church attack in Damascus and renewed fighting in the city.

Damascus

Syrian Christians are celebrating Christmas under tight security in cities like Aleppo, following a year marked by violence, including a deadly suicide attack at Mar Elias Church in Damascus that killed 25 worshippers. The Christian community, once numbering 1.8 million in 2011, has shrunk to around 300,000, with Aleppo's population dropping from 250,000 to 25,000. 

Despite the reduced numbers and ongoing fears after clashes between Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and government troops near churches, some residents continue to gather for prayers and carols. Church leaders have advised caution, holding early services and urging people to avoid late-night gatherings, while expressing hope that faith and resilience will endure.

Syrians celebrate Christmas amid uncertainty after renewed fighting

This Christmas in Aleppo, armed soldiers are guarding a church in the neighborhood of Al-Aziziyah. Christians in Syria are nervous about celebrating this year. After a suicide attack at a church in Damascus in June, killed 25 worshippers during a Sunday service. The bombing of Mar Elias Church shook the Christian community and here in Aleppo there are fears of further violence after recent confrontation between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and government troops just two kilometers from this church. Despite their fears, some people have come out to sing carols and pray for peace. Priests held mass early, advising people to avoid outdoor gatherings late at night for their safety. There are fewer worshippers than in the past. Father Jameel Yoshua says his congregation at Aleppo's Chaldean Church has been shrinking. In 2011 we were 250,000. Today we are fewer than 25,000. Nearly 14 years of conflict have decimated Syria's Christian community. It's decreased from 1.8 million faithful in 2011 to 300,000 today. From Damascus to Homs, Hama, Aleppo and Latakia, congregations are a fraction of the size. Some people say they have little to celebrate. Tala al-Samara lost her mother in the Mar Elias attack and she's still grieving. This year Christmas arrived about six months after the explosion amid a grief that must take its time. Psychologically, we're not ready. You can't rejoice when sadness lingers for everyone. But Father Jameel is hopeful. In the end, the essence of Christianity is in the resurrection. He says peace may feel distant this year, but he is confident Christians' faith will hold firm. Eamon Ogana, Al Jazeera, Aleppo, Syria. Eamon is joining us live now from the Chaldean Church in the Al-Aziziyya neighborhood of Aleppo. Eamon, good to see you this morning. You're joining us from outside the church that was featured in your report. I want to ask you, after a difficult year for Christians in Syria, what are you hearing from people there? And what are their hopes for the year ahead? Well, here in Aleppo, Christians have told us that this year they're praying for peace and security. Recent violence has cast a shadow over the city's dwindling Christian community. I'm now in front of Aleppo's Chaldean Church, where, as you can see behind me, there's heavy security. Just two kilometers from this church, there was recent fighting between Kurdish-led SDF, Syrian Democratic Forces, and government forces, wounding dozens and killing four, including a mother and her teenage son. And then, as we said earlier in June, a suicide attack at Mar Elias Church in Damascus killed 25 and wounded many more. So, it's a bit tense in Aleppo for the Christian community, but there's still some hope and faith that peace will last in the new Syria. Yeah, Eamon, the security presence that you point out certainly speaks volumes as to the tensions that exist in Aleppo and other parts of Syria. If you could tell our viewers a little bit more about the overall situation for Christians in Aleppo, and what have things been like for them this past year? Well, in Aleppo and Syria generally, the Syrian population has plummeted. In 2011, Syrian Christians made up 10% of the population. Now it's just 2%. Here in Aleppo, there were 250,000 Christians before the war, and now a fraction of that, at only 25,000. People are worried. The June bombing really shook people. As you saw in Damascus with Talha Samara, she lost her mother and hasn't been able to celebrate this year, feeling sadness. Here in Aleppo, the priest we spoke to yesterday, Father Jamil Yoshua, said that many of his congregation still talk to him about leaving Syria in the hopes of living in a more secure place. But some Christians remain, and as you can see, the government is taking security very seriously. All the churches in Aleppo have a heavy security presence, and they're trying to do all they can to make this Christmas a peaceful one. All right, that's Eamon Ogana, live for us from Aleppo in northwestern Syria. Eamon, thank you so much.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Christmas Mass Wednesday evening where he described the celebration as a feast of "faith, charity and hope". He reminded the faithful that refusing to help the poor and vulnerable is comparable to rejecting God altogether.

Rome

Pope Leo reminds believers to help the poor in first Christmas mass

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signaled progress in a Ukraine-Russia peace plan, after he told journalists about a new draft that would include a free economic zone and demilitarization. Holly Williams has the latest.

Kyiv

Zelenskyy signals progress with Ukraine-Russia peace plan

Democrats and some Republicans are blasting the Justice Department over its handling of the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which included major redactions.

Washington

U.S. lawmakers blast DOJ over Epstein files release

Bolsonaro is expected to undergo the procedure on 25 December.

Brasília

Brazil's ex-president Bolsonaro temporarily leaves prison for surgery

Two police officers have been killed in an explosion in Moscow, Russian investigators said on Wednesday. Their deaths come just two days after a car bomb killed a top general in the same area of the Russia capital.

Moscow

Three people killed in Moscow car explosion, Russian authorities say

European intelligence agencies say investigations into Russian interference now consume as much time as terrorist threats.

Paris

Pro-Russian hackers claim French postal service cyberattack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country and the United States have reached a consensus on several critical issues aimed at bringing an end to the conflict with Russia — but sensitivities around territorial control in Ukraine’s eastern industrial heartland and the management of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remain unresolved.

Ukraine Invasion

U.S., Ukraine reach consensus on some key issues to end war with Russia

The latest Epstein file release alleges a connection between former prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell, including emails in which an individual identified as 'A' requested 'inappropriate friends.'

London

Latest Epstein release alleges new link to ex-prince Andrew

The US and Venezuela are in a war of words at the UN Security council following America's seizure of ships off Venezuela's coast. Venezuela's ambassador strongly condemned the U.S. actions, labeling them as extrajudicial executions and a military blockade intended to destabilize the country.

New York

U.S., Venezuela in war of words at UNSC over military strikes

Two people are dead after an explosion at a nursing home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, and several are still missing, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.

Bristol

Two dead, several missing after nursing home explosion in Pennsylvania

A Delaware state trooper was killed Tuesday during a shooting at a Wilmington DMV, the Delaware State Police said. The state's governor confirmed the shooter is also dead.

Wilmington

Delaware state trooper killed in DMV shooting, officials say

The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that President Trump cannot deploy the National Guard troops to Chicago as a legal challenge moves ahead.

Supreme Court blocks deployment of National Guard to Illinois

The Justice Department released a new trove of documents from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including an email from a prosecutor indicating President Donald Trump had traveled aboard his private jet "many more times than previously has been reported."

Trump flew on Epstein jet 8 times according to newly released files

The Libyan army's chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, died in a plane crash after leaving Turkey's capital Ankara, the prime minister of Libya's internationally-recognized government said, adding that four others were on the jet as well.

Haymana

Libyan army's chief dies in plane crash in Turkey

Two men have been found guilty of plotting to kill hundreds in an Islamic State-inspired gun rampage against the Jewish community in England, a planned attack investigators say demonstrates the resurgent risk posed by the militant group.

Bolton

Two men found guilty of UK plot to kill Jews as IS fears grow

The FDA has approved the pill version of the weight loss drug Wegovy, the first oral medication of its kind. The new pills are expected to be available in a few weeks.

FDA approves Wegovy pill, first prescription pill for weight loss

French Parliament has approved the Stopgap Bill two days before Christmas. The budget bill now moves to French senate.

Parijs

French Parliament approves Stopgap Bill: Budget bill moves to senate

Russia fired more than 650 drones and three dozen missiles at Ukraine in a large-scale attack that began during the night and stretched into daylight hours Tuesday, officials said. At least three people were killed, including a 4-year-old child, two days before Christmas.

Kiev

Russia carries out massive drone attack on Ukraine's energy sector

The U.S. Department of Justice has released another batch of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including videos, emails and documents. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane reports.

U.S. Justice Department releases new trove of Epstein files

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland insisted that the United States won't take over Greenland and demanded respect for their territorial integrity after President Donald Trump ‍​announced ​the appointment of a ‌special envoy to the semi-autonomous territory.

Nuuk

Trump's appointment of envoy to Greenland sparks tension with Denmark

Australia's most populous state is set to pass tougher gun laws, ban the display of terrorist symbols and curb protests after the state parliament's lower house cleared a bill late on Monday (December 22) in an emergency sitting following the Bondi mass shooting.

Council of the City of Sydney

Australia's NSW to tighten gun, hate speech laws after Bondi attack

On Monday, President Trump announced a new class of Navy battleships he's calling the "Golden Fleet." The president said two vessels will be built in the short term, with plans to expand to up to 25.

Trump unveils plans for new fleet of advanced Navy battleships

China's foreign ministry on Monday (December 22) said the United States' seizure of another country's ships was a serious violation of international law, after the U.S. intercepted a China-bound oil tanker off the Venezuelan coast.

Beijing

China says U.S. ship seizures ‘serious violation' of international law

A Russian general was killed by an explosive device underneath his car in Moscow, according to Russian investigators, who say Ukraine's intelligence services may have orchestrated the attack. Ukraine has not commented.

Russian general killed in car explosion

The U.S. Coast Guard is pursuing an oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, officials told Reuters on Sunday (December 21), in what would be the third operation in less than two weeks if successful.

Caracas

U.S. pursuing third oil tanker near Venezuela, officials say

At least 15 documents related to Jeffrey Epstein that were initially made public have been pulled from the Justice Department website. The agency says it will keep reviewing and redacting materials to "protect victims."

Epstein files pulled down to 'protect victims'

Nine people have died and at least ten others were wounded after a group of gunmen carried out a shooting at a South African pub during the early hours of Sunday, authorities said.

Bekkersdal

At least nine people killed in South Africa pub shooting

U.S. intelligence reports continue to warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not abandoned his aims of capturing all of Ukraine and reclaiming parts of Europe that belonged to the former Soviet empire, six sources familiar with U.S. intelligence said.

As peace talks go on, U.S. intel says Putin's war goals unchanged

A court in Pakistan has convicted and sentenced the imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to 17 years in prison after finding them guilty of retaining and selling state gifts, including jewelry given by Saudi Arabia in 2021.

Islamabad

Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan convicted to 17 years in prison

The U.S. seized an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast on Saturday. It's the second time in two weeks that U.S. forces have carried out such an action. This comes after President Donald Trump announced a block of "sanctioned oil vessels" entering and exiting Venezuela.

Breakdown