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CV NEWS FEED // Explaining that “security conditions have stabilized” in Syria, a Hungarian official has announced that Hungary is reopening its embassy in Damascus less than a month after the collapse of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
On Jan. 6 Hungary State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians Azbej Tristan posted on his X account the announcement, given by Péter Szijjártó, the minister of foreign affairs and trade.
“Hungary is committed to peace and stability in the Middle East and continues to provide humanitarian aid to and through Christian communities in the region,” Szijjártó said of the decision to reopen the embassy. “We firmly advocate for their rights, as we do in Syria, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.”
In late December 2024, Hungary announced support for the Christian communities in Syria, including investing in the development of a new Syriac Orthodox church in Damascus, and delivering $15,000 in humanitarian aid to the Melkite Church in Syria. Hungary is also providing $50,000 in support of the Syriac Orthodox Church’s work helping Christian refugees in Lebanon, as CatholicVote previously reported.
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, also known as Ahmed al-Sharaa, is the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which spearheaded the coalition that overthrew al-Assad. HTS, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist group, is a former affiliate of al-Qaeda.
On Dec. 31, 2024, al-Jolani met with Christian leaders in Damascus, including Franciscan friars and Syrian Catholic clergy. Vatican News reports that in the meeting, al-Jolani “offered assurances to the Christian leaders that the new Syria will be inclusive[,] wishing them a Merry Christmas and a peaceful new year.”
According to Vatican News, Cardinal Mario Zenari, the apostolic nuncio to Syria, said that the Catholic leaders who met with al-Jolani “left with a sense of hope for Syria’s future.”
