Syria: Protests after masked individuals burn Christmas Tree – Calls to protect minorities
Thousands of demonstrators call for the new regime to protect religious minorities
Cyprus: Christodoulides appoints special representative for the protection of Christians in the Middle East
Thessalia Salina Siambou will also assist the EU's effort to support religious groups in the region
UN: Members of religious minorities flee Syria in fear of possible threats
The UN also said one million Syrian refugees could return to the country between January and June 2025, following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad on December 8