Federal Independent Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal independent agencies
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Smithsonian Starstruck Makes Its World Premiere in Washington, D.C., Launching an Immersive Journey to the Cosmos
WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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Smithsonian Starstruck Makes Its World Premiere in Washington, D.C., Launching an Immersive Journey to the Cosmos
Built from Real Astronomical Data, This Fully Immersive Experience Brings Stars, Galaxies and Black Holes Within Reach
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Friday, June 12, Washington, D.C., becomes a gateway to the cosmos with the world premiere of Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience, opening at 926 F St NW in Penn Quarter. This free-roam, interactive journey invites visitors to witness the birth and death of
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WASHINGTON, May 16 -- The Smithsonian Institution issued the following news release:
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Smithsonian Starstruck Makes Its World Premiere in Washington, D.C., Launching an Immersive Journey to the Cosmos
Built from Real Astronomical Data, This Fully Immersive Experience Brings Stars, Galaxies and Black Holes Within Reach
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Friday, June 12, Washington, D.C., becomes a gateway to the cosmos with the world premiere of Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience, opening at 926 F St NW in Penn Quarter. This free-roam, interactive journey invites visitors to witness the birth and death ofstars, explore distant galaxies and come face-to-face with a black hole, all without leaving Earth.
Sign up for the waitlist now on Fever's website (https://feverup.com/m/598071).
Developed in collaboration with Fever and using real astronomical data from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), Starstruck translates decades of research into a fully immersive, interactive and walkable universe.
Throughout the journey, guests travel alongside some of world's most powerful observatories, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory, venturing far beyond Earth and deep into the cosmos. Along the way, they encounter extreme exoplanets, witness the life cycle of stars and explore the immense scale of galaxies and black holes, gaining a deeper understanding of humanity's place in the universe.
"Smithsonian Starstruck reflects years of thoughtful collaboration across the Smithsonian," said Denise Elliott, acting president of Smithsonian Enterprises. "By working closely with SAO and Fever, we're extending Smithsonian science and storytelling into an immersive format that reaches new audiences while supporting our mission."
Experience Highlights
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience begins atop SAO's Whipple Observatory in southern Arizona, where a cosmic guide, Astro, awaits. From this summit, the journey launches into deep space aboard the telescopes, revealing the vastness and wonder of the universe like never before.
During the 40-minute experience, visitors will drift through a breathtaking 3D expanse, gliding past thousands of galaxies, racing through the Milky Way and soaring close to the sun to witness its immense energy. Along the way, they will encounter extreme exoplanet worlds, a dying star and the edge of a supermassive black hole.
"This project demonstrates how immersive experiences can make complex scientific ideas more tangible and engaging," said Randall Smith, associate director for science at the Center for Astrophysics at SAO. "It's exciting to see astronomical data translated into an experience that encourages curiosity and exploration."
Celebrating Innovation & Human Accomplishment
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience honors centuries of scientific curiosity and innovation, demonstrating how exploration continues to expand our understanding of the universe.
From the Big Bang to the Milky Way to the solar system, the experience places visitors within the story of discovery itself, illustrating that humans are not just observers of the cosmos, but part of it.
Developed in close collaboration with the Smithsonian Office of Visitor Accessibility, Starstruck incorporates accessibility features such as captions, visual descriptions, wheelchair-optimized viewing, assistive listening devices, complimentary companion access and monthly low-sensory days. Trained staff and fully accessible venues help ensure a welcoming experience for all. This experience is recommended for ages 10 and up.
About Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience
Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience is a 3D interactive, virtual reality experience that begins at Earth's observatories and launches visitors into the universe--aboard the world's most powerful space telescopes. Developed in close collaboration with SAO, Starstruck translates real astronomical data from SAO, NASA and the European Space Agency into a breathtaking journey through space.
Blending cutting-edge immersive technology with rigorous science and powerful storytelling, Starstruck brings the birth and death of stars, and the vast depths of the cosmos, to life in an entirely new way for audiences craving smart entertainment.
Starstruck brings Smithsonian science and storytelling into an immersive, transportive format, extending the Institution's longstanding mission of sharing knowledge far beyond its physical museums. It reinforces the Smithsonian's commitment to being a welcoming source of knowledge and discovery for all, inviting audiences not just to learn, but to explore and imagine.
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About the Smithsonian
Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to inspiring generations through knowledge and discovery. It is the world's largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, libraries and gardens. Two of the 21 museums--the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum--are in the early planning stages. The total number of objects, works of art and specimens at the Smithsonian is about 157 million.
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About the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is a research center of the Smithsonian Institution and part of the Center for Astrophysics, the largest astrophysics research center in the world. The Observatory has been a pioneer in space exploration and discovery since its founding in 1890. Today, in addition to performing groundbreaking astronomical research, SAO operates multiple satellites, including NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, and runs the Minor Planet Center that tracks all known asteroids in the solar system.
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About Smithsonian Enterprises
Smithsonian Enterprises oversees the commercial activities of the Smithsonian Institution with five primary business divisions: media, retail, licensing, eCommerce and travel. The mission of SE is to engage in successful and profitable revenue generating business activities that support and extend the Smithsonian's mission, values and reputation.
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About Virtual Worlds
Virtual Worlds is a creative studio specializing in high-quality, free-roam immersive experiences that transport audiences inside history's most remarkable stories. By combining cinematic artistry with cutting-edge technology, the studio brings history, culture and imagination to life with unparalleled depth, scale and immersion.
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About Fever
Fever is the world's leading tech platform for discovering culture and live entertainment, inspiring over 300 million people last year to discover the best experiences in over 40 countries. With a mission to increase access to culture and entertainment in real life, Fever inspires users to enjoy unique experiences and events--from immersive exhibitions and sports to interactive theatrical performances, concerts and festivals--while empowering its partners with data and technology to develop and expand new experiences worldwide.
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Original text here: https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/releases/smithsonian-starstruck-makes-its-world-premiere-washington-dc-launching-immersive
Office of Finance Publishes the First Quarter 2026 Combined Financial Report of the Federal Home Loan Banks
WASHINGTON, May 15 (TNSrep) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank System Office of Finance issued the following news release:
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Office of Finance Publishes the First Quarter 2026 Combined Financial Report of the Federal Home Loan Banks
The Office of Finance is announcing the publication of the First Quarter 2026 Combined Financial Report of the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks). This report has been prepared from the unaudited financial information of the FHLBanks.
Each of the FHLBanks has filed its First Quarter 2026 Form 10-Q with the SEC. Current financial reports and other SEC filings for
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WASHINGTON, May 15 (TNSrep) -- The Federal Home Loan Bank System Office of Finance issued the following news release:
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Office of Finance Publishes the First Quarter 2026 Combined Financial Report of the Federal Home Loan Banks
The Office of Finance is announcing the publication of the First Quarter 2026 Combined Financial Report of the Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLBanks). This report has been prepared from the unaudited financial information of the FHLBanks.
Each of the FHLBanks has filed its First Quarter 2026 Form 10-Q with the SEC. Current financial reports and other SEC filings forindividual FHLBanks can be obtained by searching the EDGAR database.
The First Quarter 2026 Combined Financial Report for the FHLBanks has been filed with the Federal Housing Finance Agency. A copy of this Combined Financial Report can be obtained on the Office of Finance website at: https://www.fhlb-of.com/ofweb_userWeb/pageBuilder/fhlbank-financial-data-36.
The FHLBanks have delivered innovation and service to the U.S. housing market since 1932, and currently have approximately 6,300 members serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories.
Please contact Tom Heinle at 703-467-3646 or theinle@fhlb-of.com for additional information.
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Original text here: https://fhlb-of.com/ofweb_userWeb/resources/PR2026-0514-Q1CFRAnnouncement.pdf
NTSB Releases Study on Drug Presence Trends Among Fatally Injured Pilots
WASHINGTON, May 15 (TNSrep) -- The National Transportation Safety Board issued the following news release:
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NTSB Releases Study on Drug Presence Trends Among Fatally Injured Pilots
Potentially impairing drugs found in more than 1 in 4 pilots
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The National Transportation Safety Board published a safety research report that found that 52.8% of fatally injured pilots tested positive for at least one drug of any type, and 27.7% tested positive for two or more drugs, continuing an upward trend.
The study examined drug presence identified through toxicology testing of pilots killed in U.S.
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WASHINGTON, May 15 (TNSrep) -- The National Transportation Safety Board issued the following news release:
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NTSB Releases Study on Drug Presence Trends Among Fatally Injured Pilots
Potentially impairing drugs found in more than 1 in 4 pilots
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The National Transportation Safety Board published a safety research report that found that 52.8% of fatally injured pilots tested positive for at least one drug of any type, and 27.7% tested positive for two or more drugs, continuing an upward trend.
The study examined drug presence identified through toxicology testing of pilots killed in U.S.civil aviation accidents between 2018 and 2022. The report, 2018-2022 Update to Drug Use Trends in Aviation (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Pages/DCA24SS011.aspx), updates earlier NTSB studies examining drug presence among fatally injured pilots from 1990-2012 and 2013-2017.
Among drug categories identified, the most commonly detected included cardiovascular medications, sedating antihistamines, nonsedating over-the-counter drugs, cholesterol-lowering medications, prostate or erectile dysfunction drugs and illicit drugs.
Detection of potentially impairing drugs increased slightly to 28.6%, with the sedating antihistamine medication diphenhydramine remaining the most detected potentially impairing drug. Illicit drug detection increased to 7.4%, driven primarily by increases in delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), the primary psychoactive chemical in marijuana.
Researchers also found that drug prevalence varied by pilot age, certification level and type of operation. Drug presence was lower among pilots conducting Part 135 operations than among those operating in general aviation, lower among pilots with an active medical certificate than pilots without an active medical certificate, and lower among pilots holding airline transport and commercial pilot certificates than among pilots holding private, sport or student certificates, or no certificate.
The report emphasizes that the presence of drugs identified through toxicology testing does not necessarily indicate pilot impairment. Instead, the study documents trends in drug detection and provides context for understanding factors that may affect aviation safety.
The safety research report is available on the NTSB website (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/safety-studies/Pages/DCA24SS011.aspx).
To report an incident/accident or if you are a public safety agency, please call 1-844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290 to speak to a Watch Officer at the NTSB Response Operations Center (ROC) in Washington, DC (24/7).
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Original text here: https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/NR20260514.aspx
Fresh Flavors Are Pulling into the Station: New Northeast Regional Menu Arrives
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Fresh Flavors Are Pulling into the Station: New Northeast Regional Menu Arrives
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At Amtrak, great journeys are best paired with great food. That's why we're rolling out a refreshed Northeast Regional (NER) cafe menu on Wednesday, May 13, designed to bring more variety, flavor, and delicious options to our customers onboard. Serving more than 12 million riders each year between Boston and Virginia, these NER cafe updates are all about keeping the onboard dining experience fresh, modern, and aligned
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WASHINGTON, May 15 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Fresh Flavors Are Pulling into the Station: New Northeast Regional Menu Arrives
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At Amtrak, great journeys are best paired with great food. That's why we're rolling out a refreshed Northeast Regional (NER) cafe menu on Wednesday, May 13, designed to bring more variety, flavor, and delicious options to our customers onboard. Serving more than 12 million riders each year between Boston and Virginia, these NER cafe updates are all about keeping the onboard dining experience fresh, modern, and alignedwith evolving tastes.
A Better Start to the Morning
As the most important meal of the day, breakfast is getting a delicious refresh. Morning riders will notice something new with the addition of a warm sticky bun alongside flavored syrups for coffee, giving customers the chance to customize their drinks.
New Options for Lunch and Dinner
For lunch and dinner, our top-selling Turkey Havarti sandwich is getting new company. We're introducing a lineup of fresh sandwich options, including:
* Chicken Salad on Pretzel Sliders
* Buffalo Chicken Wrap
* Curried Chickpea Wrap
These additions bring bold flavors and more variety for customers looking for satisfying, on-the-go meals.
Buzz Worthy Snacks and Beverages
Customers looking for a quick bite or refreshing drinks will also find several new and notable offerings, including:
* Poppi Prebiotic Soda (Strawberry Lemon)
* Nerds Gummy Clusters
* Barebells Protein Bar
* La Colombe Vanilla Draft Latte
* Butter Cake, a longtime fan favorite already popular on Amtrak's Long Distance services
These updates are just the beginning of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the onboard experience for every guest. Whether you're traveling for work, leisure, or connecting across the Northeast, we invite you to try our refreshed menu onboard!
Group shot new items
Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
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Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/05/fresh-flavors-are-pulling-into-the-station-new-northeast-regional-menu-arrives/
Factory Floor Fridays: EXIM Chairman Jovanovic Visits Framework Automation to See American Innovation in Manufacturing
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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Factory Floor Fridays: EXIM Chairman Jovanovic Visits Framework Automation to See American Innovation in Manufacturing
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) visited Framework Automation in Los Angeles, California as the second stop of its Factory Floor Fridays campaign. These visits are designed to tell the story of the American Dream through the eyes of the companies and workers building the next generation of American industry-proving that with the right tools
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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Factory Floor Fridays: EXIM Chairman Jovanovic Visits Framework Automation to See American Innovation in Manufacturing
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) visited Framework Automation in Los Angeles, California as the second stop of its Factory Floor Fridays campaign. These visits are designed to tell the story of the American Dream through the eyes of the companies and workers building the next generation of American industry-proving that with the right toolsand support, U.S. innovation can compete and win anywhere in the world.
During the visit to Framework Automation, Chairman John Jovanovic saw firsthand the company's progress in reshaping textile manufacturing in the United States. Textile manufacturing has long been a time-intensive and costly process. Now, by combining advanced machinery with intelligent software, Framework Automation is producing apparel faster and at scale-helping to rebuild domestic manufacturing while meeting the demands of a rapidly changing market.
"A key focus of EXIM is putting U.S. equipment, technology, and workers first while rebuilding our domestic manufacturing capacity," Chairman John Jovanovic said. "Framework Automation is a firsthand example of this, showing how U.S. exporters can compete in specialized global markets while strengthening our supply chains here at home."
"For decades, the U.S. lost apparel manufacturing because labor costs outran every other input. Robotics and automation are changing that equation. When you combine advanced technology with the raw materials, energy, and capital infrastructure the U.S. already has, domestic production becomes competitive again. Framework is building the factory model that proves this, and partners like EXIM are essential to financing the next generation of American manufacturers doing the same," said Denver Rayburn, CEO of Framework Automation.
"American manufacturers are the backbone of our economic security," said Jovanovic about the mission of Factory Floor Fridays. "Factory Floor Fridays give EXIM the opportunity to hear from businesses large and small-which account for nearly 90 percent of our transactions-and ensure they have the financing tools they need to compete, grow, and win in global markets."
EXIM's Make More in America Initiative (MMIA) reflects the agency's broader commitment to companies like Framework Automation. Under MMIA, EXIM makes its existing medium- and long-term loans, loan guarantees, and insurance available to export-oriented domestic manufacturing projects-revitalizing American manufacturing and improving the resiliency of U.S. supply chains. Framework Automation embodies that same mission: strengthening the domestic manufacturing base while competing in global markets.
Now, American manufacturing is back. Because of President Trump's leadership, U.S. manufacturing capped off the first quarter of 2026 with the first positive manufacturing job growth in three years. When EXIM was founded 92 years ago, its mission was simple: put Americans back to work and rebuild our manufacturing base. That mission hasn't changed. Under President Trump, EXIM is once again a frontline economic tool revitalizing American industry and ensuring the future is built by American workers.
ABOUT EXIM:
As the United States government's official export credit agency, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) supports American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. As an independent agency, EXIM plays a critical role in supporting economic growth, securing critical supply chains, and ensuring American businesses are given a fighting chance. To achieve this mission, EXIM offers financing including export credit insurance, working capital guarantees, loan guarantees, and direct loans. Learn more at www.exim.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.exim.gov/news/factory-floor-fridays-exim-chairman-jovanovic-visits-framework-automation-see-american
Commission on International Religious Freedom: Threats to Religious Freedom in Somalia
WASHINGTON, May 15 (TNSrpt) -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued the following news release:
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Threats to Religious Freedom in Somalia
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on Somalia:
Religious Freedom in Somalia - In 2026, the Federal Republic of Somalia faces ongoing challenges to religious freedom as the insurgent group al-Shabaab expands across the country, wielding its violent religious ideology against converts to Christianity and dissenting Muslims.
This publication outlines major issues affecting
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WASHINGTON, May 15 (TNSrpt) -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued the following news release:
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Threats to Religious Freedom in Somalia
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on Somalia:
Religious Freedom in Somalia - In 2026, the Federal Republic of Somalia faces ongoing challenges to religious freedom as the insurgent group al-Shabaab expands across the country, wielding its violent religious ideology against converts to Christianity and dissenting Muslims.
This publication outlines major issues affectingfreedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Somalia, including the breakaway states of Somaliland and Puntland.
In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the United States redesignate al-Shabaab as an Entity of Particular Concern (EPC) for its particularly severe violations of religious freedom.
USCIRF's 2023 Factsheet on Religious Freedom in the Horn of Africa highlighted these and other ongoing threats to freedom of religion or belief in Somalia.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at media@uscirf.gov.
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REPORT: https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/USCIRF_2026_AR_3326_NEW.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/releases-statements/threats-religious-freedom-somalia
Commission on International Religious Freedom: Country Update - Syria
WASHINGTON, May 15 -- U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued the following fact sheet:
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COUNTRY UPDATE: Syria
Religious Freedom and Rule of Law in Syria
Overview
Religious freedom conditions in Syria continued to worsen in 2026. Since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024, Syrian transitional authorities have failed to protect freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and implement rule of law to protect religious minorities. Both state and nonstate actors have committed acts of sectarian violence, including extrajudicial killings against Alawis, Druze,
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WASHINGTON, May 15 -- U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued the following fact sheet:
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COUNTRY UPDATE: Syria
Religious Freedom and Rule of Law in Syria
Overview
Religious freedom conditions in Syria continued to worsen in 2026. Since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024, Syrian transitional authorities have failed to protect freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) and implement rule of law to protect religious minorities. Both state and nonstate actors have committed acts of sectarian violence, including extrajudicial killings against Alawis, Druze,Christians, and other religious groups. Similarly, the Islamic State group continues to threaten FoRB in Syria, attacking houses of worship and killing worshipers. In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended Syria as a Country of Particular Concern following a dramatic deterioration of religious freedom conditions in the first full year under transitional authorities.
This publication provides an overview of the recent religious freedom conditions in Syria with a particular focus on rule of law issues. It also reviews Syrian authorities' efforts to pursue accountability for crimes against religious groups as well as the minimal progress on policies supporting inclusive governance and religious freedom.
Background
Religious minorities constitute a significant portion of Syria's population. According to U.S. government estimates from before the fall of the Assad regime, 74 percent of the Syrian population is Sunni Muslim. Other Muslim groups, including Alawis, Ismailis, and Shi'a, compose 13 percent of the population, while Druze make up three percent. Estimates place the Christian population of Syria at between three and 10 percent of the total population.
For 50 years, the Assad family ruled Syria with an iron first, committing gross human rights abuses and FoRB violations. During the country's civil war from 2011-2024, the Syrian government under President Bashar al-Assad amplified and exploited sectarian fears to delegitimize members of the Sunni Muslim-majority opposition as potential terrorists and solidify political support from predominately non-Sunni Muslim populations. It favored the Assad family's Alawi religious group for many key leadership roles and purported to protect other religious minorities such as Christians and Druze to pressure them into outward support for the regime.
Since Syrian rebel forces led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)--a former USCIRFrecommended and U.S.-designated Entity of Particular Concern--seized power in late 2024, Syria's interim government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa has not overhauled Syria's legal system to meaningfully protect religious freedom. Similar to the Assad-era constitution, Syria's new temporary constitution declares that the president of Syria must be Muslim and that Islamic jurisprudence is the main source of legislation (versus "a" source of legislation). While the constitution states that freedom of belief is protected, it makes specific provision for only the three "heavenly religions" (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity). Transitional authorities have not repealed laws from the Assad era restricting religious freedom, including criminalizing converting from Islam or banning Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Transitional Authorities and FoRB
Syria's interim government under President Ahmed alSharaa has focused on foreign investment and security but has struggled to ensure safety for all Syrians. This lack of security has profoundly restricted religious freedom in Syria. President al-Sharaa's inclusive rhetoric toward Syria's religious minorities has not been reflected by genuine integration of such minorities into the new government. In the October 2025 indirect partial parliamentary elections, voters elected only 10 individuals from religious and ethnic minorities out of 119 open seats. At the time, elections were not held in the provinces of Hasakah, Raqqa, and Suweida. The government acknowledged the lack of religious representation and suggested President al-Sharaa would consider this as he appoints the rest of the Parliament--which he has yet to do as of April 2026. Transitional authorities have also largely excluded religious minorities from the nascent military and security apparatuses, especially leadership that mostly consists of former HTS members.
Recent actions by local transitional officials restrict and threaten religious freedom in Syria for those who do not follow the government's interpretation of Islam. In March 2026, municipal authorities in Damascus banned the sale of alcohol in most of the city except for three Christian neighborhoods. Additionally, local authorities in Hama have reportedly detained people for violating the Ramadan fast in public. Activists have also raised concerns about ongoing government inaction to combat incitement to violence against religious minorities on both traditional and social media, which contributed to major instances of sectarian violence.
Sectarian Violence Targeting Religious Minorities
Loyalists to the new authorities have perpetrated violence against religious minorities on the basis of their religious identity and perceived ties to the former government, including the mass killings of approximately 1,400 Alawis in March 2025 and approximately 1,200 Druze in July 2025. Amid these developments, incidents of sectarian violence--including extrajudicial killings, abductions, and vandalism--happen on a near-daily basis in Syria, albeit on a more individualized scale. Law enforcement is often either unable or unwilling to pursue perpetrators or is complicit in the violations.
At least 77 people in Syria have been killed in likely sectarian-motivated incidents in the first four months of 2026. While reports have often described assailants as "unidentified," in several cases community advocates have pointed to indicators that the perpetrators were armed Sunni Arab loyalists to the transitional authorities. Most of the sectarian killings in 2026 occurred in Homs, one of Syria's most religiously diverse provinces, and reflect common patterns. They often involve gunmen on motorcycles who target pedestrians or those exiting their homes or businesses and quickly flee the scene. In January 2026, unidentified assailants killed four Alawi hospital employees as they were leaving work. That same month, unidentified assailants killed a Shi'a man while he was closing up his shop. In February 2026, unidentified assailants killed an Alawi couple. Less than a week later, unidentified assailants killed a Christian woman in the same neighborhood.
Sectarian-motivated killings have continued in other parts of the country as well. In January 2026, unidentified assailants stabbed to death a 15-year-old Alawi boy in Latakia Province. In March 2026, multiple assailants reportedly attacked and strangled to death a 19-year-old Druze man at his workplace in Rif Dimashq Province. In April 2026, unidentified assailants killed an Alawi man in Hama Province by throwing a grenade into his home and opening fire on him as he tried to escape. Police efforts to investigate, identify, and arrest perpetrators in most of these incidents are unclear. In some cases, authorities have proactively tried to prevent sectarian violence when specific inciting incidents may lead to large-scale unrest.
Human rights organizations have reported deaths of civilians in state custody ostensibly resulting from torture and other mistreatment motivated by sectarianism. In August 2025, human rights activists reported that four Alawis from Homs Province had died in detention after security forces arrested them for participating in protests against an attack on an Alawi religious shrine. In January 2026, human rights activists reported the death of an Alawi from Homs Province in state custody two weeks after he had been arrested for participating in demonstrations calling for an end to human rights violations against the Alawi community and greater political autonomy for Alawi regions of Syria.
Armed actors, including foreign fighters, organized crime groups, and individual criminals, continue to abduct women and girls on the basis of their religious identity and subject them to forced marriage, sexual assault, beatings, and extortion. By the end of 2025, one Syrian civil society organization had documented 130 abductions of Syrian women, most of whom were Alawi, while another Syrian organization reported the disappearance of at least 80 Alawi women and girls as of early April 2026. Several victims reported their captors identifying them as Alawi and subsequently verbally abusing them on a religious basis while in captivity.
Vandalism of Religious Sites and Destruction of Religious Minority Properties
Religious sites remain threatened by armed conflict, civil unrest, and sectarian vandalism. One Syrian civil society organization identified 55 attacks on religious sites from November 2024 to August 2025, including 27 Alawi shrines, 12 churches, nine Druze shrines, four mosques, one Ismaili shrine, one Shi'a shrine, and one Sufi shrine. In February 2026, unidentified individuals set fire to an Alawi shrine in Hama Province. In March 2026, unidentified individuals destroyed crosses on tombstones in a Christian cemetery in Tartus Province. In April 2026, an armed faction associated with the Syrian interim government reportedly seized an Alawi shrine in Homs Province for military purposes. Transitional authorities, however, have appeared more publicly responsive to acts of violence that might trigger mass unrest. In March 2026, a large group of armed men on motorcycles attacked the predominately Christian town of Suqaylabiyah in Hama Province amid a personal dispute, terrorizing the town's residents and damaging and destroying homes, shops, and vehicles. Authorities responded by arresting the perpetrators and organizing a reconciliation council to prevent communal retaliatory violence.
The Islamic State's Ongoing Threats to Religious Freedom
The threat the Islamic State group poses to religious groups in Syria remains acute. Islamic State insurgents-- which the UN estimates at 3,000 between Iraq and Syria--have taken advantage of the security vacuum to target religious sites and kill worshipers because of their religion or belief. In June 2025, an attack on Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus killed at least 25 people and injured dozens of others. While a group called Saraya Ansar al-Sunna claimed responsibility for the attack, the UN assesses it to be a front for the Islamic State, providing plausible deniability and improved operational capacity. Saraya Ansar al-Sunna also claimed responsibility for the December 2025 bombing of the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque located in a predominately Alawi neighborhood in Homs, which killed at least eight people and injured 18. Later that same month, the Ministry of Interior claimed that a suicide bomber with most likely "ideological or organizational" links to the Islamic State group detonated at a security checkpoint as he attempted to enter a Christian area of Aleppo, resulting in the death of one officer and injuring two others. Following these instances, transitional authorities announced that they had arrested accomplices and perpetrators. Investigations and trials remain ongoing. In May 2026, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the assassination of prominent Shi'a cleric Farhan al-Mansour near a shrine in Damascus.
Lack of Genuine Accountability for Mass Atrocities against Alawis and Druze
On accountability for the sectarian atrocities committed against Alawis and Druze in 2025, the interim government's record has been mixed. Transitional authorities have cooperated with UN human rights officials, allowing them to conduct investigations inside the country and interview victims and witnesses of last year's sectarian violence. After the killing of around 1,400 Alawis in March 2025, the interim government established its own fact-finding committee to investigate the incident. That committee later referred 298 suspects mobilized on behalf of the interim government for criminal prosecution. However, the committee's findings did not identify the role senior military commanders played in the massacre. Furthermore, since the committee's findings, the cases of only seven individuals affiliated with the interim government have gone to trial.
Similarly, following the killing of nearly 1,200 Druze in Suweida in July 2025, transitional authorities established their own investigation and arrested some alleged perpetrators affiliated or aligned with Syrian security forces. However, as of March 2026, the interim government has yet to hold accountable any operational commanders involved in directing or allowing such gross human rights violations to occur. De facto authorities in Suweida have also not taken any known steps to investigate and hold accountable members of Druze militias who targeted Sunni civilians of Bedouin Arab background, including attacks on four mosques. Moreover, President al-Sharaa's 2026 amnesty for Ramadan reportedly released people in state custody accused of involvement in these 2025 sectarian massacres and the kidnapping of Alawi women and girls.
Conclusion
Sectarian-motivated crimes against religious minorities, including extrajudicial killings, sexual assaults, kidnappings, and vandalism of religious sites, remain rampant in Syria. The interim government struggles to provide accountability for crimes against religious minorities and to protect freedom of religion or belief for all within Syria.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief.
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Original text here: https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2026-05/2026%20Syria%20Country%20Update.pdf
