Syria (International Christian Concern) — In Syria’s first elections since rebel forces deposed longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2025, 119 new parliamentarians have been announced after voting that began Sunday. An additional 21 seats were not voted on because they represent areas not currently under government control, and the remaining seventy seats in the 210-member parliament will be appointed directly by President Ahmed al-Shara. Kurdish-held areas in the northeast were among those currently excluded from the vote, as their relationship with the Shara administration has yet to be finalized.