CBN - Syria Situation

Jul 22, 2025 #breakingnews #politicalnews #christiannews

A persecution watchdog is sounding the alarm as the situation in Syria appears to be deteriorating for minority groups like the Druze and Alawites. Joel Veldkamp, head of international communications at Christian Solidarity International (CSI), told CBN News that Syrian government forces have gone after these groups, killing innocents in the process. The most recent incursion unfolded last week and had deadly consequences. "Syrian government forces have once again launched an attack on religious minority populations – this time against the Druze, a religious group which makes up about 3% of Syria’s population, and who are considered heretics by jihadist groups," CSI wrote in a statement. "Between July 14 and July 18, Syria’s Islamist-controlled government sent troops to occupy Suwayda province, a mountainous region of southern Syria where the majority of the population is Druze. Upon entering population centers in the province, government troops carried out numerous atrocities." This violence might not have been limited only to the Druze population. While details are still unclear about motives and precise details, Khaled Mazhar, the pastor of the Good Shepherd Evangelical Church in Suwayda city, was killed alongside 11 other family members. "We're still putting together the details on what exactly happened, but we know that Pastor Khaled Mazhar was attacked by armed fighters sometime last week in Soweda City," Veldkamp said. "He, and his wife, and his children, and several other of his relatives — 12 people in all — were all killed. And there's a 13th person who survived only because they thought that she was dead, basically." While the Druzes were the main target, he said government fighters sometimes kill Christians along the way, especially when they are going after other minority groups. "This violence is not something that can be restricted to one community," Veldkamp said. "It's going to spread, and it's going to affect Christians as well." His warning is one to heed, as Syrian Christians are reportedly fearful over how they could soon be treated, especially after Ahmed al-Sharaa — a former Al-Qaeda leader — rose to power to become ruler after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. Despite al-Sharaa's pledge to treat minorities well, the incursion against the Druzes and other past issues show that actions might not align with words and pledges. Want more news from a Christian Perspective? Choose to support CBN: https://go.cbn.com/ugWBn CBN News. Because Truth Matters™ Download the free CBN News App: http://cbnnews.com/app SUBSCRIBE to the CBN News Channel for more: http://youtube.com/c/CBNnewsonline/?s...

Reuters - 31 people dead

DHAKA, July 22 (Reuters) - Police used tear gas to disperse angry students in Bangladesh on Tuesday who demanded answers from the interim government after an air force fighter jet crashed into a Dhaka school and killed 31 people, at least 25 of them children.

The children, many aged under 12, were about to return home from class on Monday when the Chinese-manufactured F-7 BGI Bangladesh Air Force jet ploughed into their school and burst into flames, trapping pupils in the fire and debris.

For more info:https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/students-protest-bangladesh-after-air-force-jet-crash-kills-31-mostly-children-2025-07-22/

TSA West - Brazil Territory

 Prayer Focus 21 – 27 July 2025 Brazil Territory

Territorial Leaders:

Colonel Wilson Strasse - Territorial Commander

Colonel Nara Strasse - Territorial President of Women's Ministries

Lieut-Colonel Manuel Márquez - Chief Secretary

Lieut-Colonel Paulina Márquez - Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries

May our words, filled with faith and hope, reach the throne of grace and move the heart of God on our behalf.

Please pray:

For wisdom and divine guidance for the Territorial Leadership:

We earnestly plead for the guidance of the Holy Spirit upon our Territorial Leaders. May God grant them heavenly wisdom to discern His purposes, courage to make decisions aligned with His will, and the anointing necessary to lead this Territory with justice, love, and strategic vision. May they be instruments in God's hands to guide the Territory in His ways.

For a widespread spiritual revival throughout the Territory:

We cry out for a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon every heart, every home, and every unit of The Salvation Army in our Territory. May a holy fire be ignited within us, renewing our passion for Christ, our love for lost souls, and our zeal in proclaiming the Gospel. May this revival transform us individually and collectively, propelling us into more effective and impactful service.

For the full implementation and fruitfulness of the strategic development plan with the vision ‘Focus on Jesus’:

We plead for God’s grace and power so that our Strategic Development Plan, centered on the vision ‘Focus on Jesus’, may be implemented diligently, with unity and wisdom throughout the Territory. May every strategy and action be guided by the centrality of Christ, bearing abundant fruit in the growth of the Kingdom, the expansion of the mission, and service to the community.

For new ministry openings, that they may be firmly established:

We intercede for the new initiatives and ministries being established in our Territory. May God’s hand sustain and strengthen them from the very beginning, laying firm and unshakable foundations. May they receive support, resources, and anointed leadership so they may flourish, reach lives, and become beacons of hope in their communities.

Marleas’ Uncle

Please lift up Marleas and her family during this time of grieving their uncle who went to be with the Lord! Praise the Lord that He enabled Marleas to visit him last week during her trip to Pennsylvania. May God’s peace be upon her and her family during this time!

Joshua’s Mom Health

Please keep my mother Stephanie in your prayers. She has myeloma (blood cancer). Starting chemo treatments soon. Devastating news yes-staying positive & blessed beyond measure to be sober, present, and supporting my son & sisters thru all of this🙏 

Jason S. - Surgery/Recovery/Health

Hello all! I would appreciate your prayers today as I am scheduled for a colostomy and hernia surgery today. About a month and a half ago I had a small umbilical hernia appear (happens in about 25% of post-surgical cases involving the gut). Then 10 days ago I started feeling really bad and ended up in the ER and then admitted to the hospital for what has been deemed a post-surgical leakage from the colon repair 4 months ago. The doctors tried treating it with bowel rest and antibiotics but my body did not respond enough. So a temporary ileostomy/colostomy has been scheduled to allow my colon to fully heal up. After 3 months the goal is to reverse. So I would greatly appreciate your prayers that all would go well today and that I will be able to adjust to my new reality. Over the last couple days I've been sitting here reading, listening to music, and praying. My heart is at peace. May it all be for His glory.

Psalms 136:1 AMP

[1] Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness (graciousness, mercy, compassion) endures forever.

Sharon S. - River’s Training and Deployment

Had a wonderful visit by grandson yesterday evening. We watched the MLB Allstar Game. 

This morning my husband and I said goodbye and prayed over him!  So please also pray for him as he left to Army Base in West Palm Beach. He will have a few days of training as a Florida National Guardsman before being deployed to California. 

I asked him how much all that gear weighs and he didn’t really know and said it’s no problem!  Love this guy.