A local pastor has been released from detention in Syria. Pastor Nihad Hassan, a Kurdish pastor, was arrested on July 20 while visiting family in Afrin, Syria. He was held for two weeks without an official charge.

The reason for his detention is reportedly related to his comments about Islam on social media, which were deemed offensive by the government. Pastor Hassan has also spoken out about the dangers faced by Kurds, an ethnic minority group in Syria. Further details about his detention and release are available from International Christian Concern.

Pastor Hassan has been reunited with his family and congregants in Beirut, Lebanon.