al-monitor (2025-12-25). Festive lights, security tight for Christmas in Damascus. al-monitor.com Christmas lights illuminate Damascus's Old City while government forces patrol its shadows as security fears haunt Syria's Christian community.They recall the shooting and suicide attack in June at the Saint Elias church in the Syrian capital that killed 25 people and wounded dozens more."People are going home early, and are afraid," said Tala Shamoun, 26, a university student who was visiting a Christmas market with family and friends.

Rameen Siddiqui (2025-12-25). Syrian Central Bank Announces New Currency, Swap to Begin in 2026. moderndiplomacy.eu NEWS BRIEF Syria will begin a currency swap on January 1, 2026, replacing old banknotes with new ones in an effort to restore confidence in a pound that has been devastated by 14 years of war, hyperinflation, and political upheaval. The move will remove two zeros from the currency, a symbolic and practical attempt to …