U.S. strikes reportedly killed five Iraqi militants, church leaders in Iraq declared they would limit Christmas celebrations and the Shlama Football League announces its third season. 

Syriac-language students at an Erbil university get free housing, U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo announces her retirement and Israel strikes the Damascus airport again.

Bakhdida fire victims continue receiving treatment, the U.S. sanctions Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Pope Francis receives the Iraqi president.

An Assyrian elder is reportedly shot and killed in Turkey, attacks on U.S. Bases in Iraq continue and an Assyrian nonprofit hopes to bring joy to the children of Bakhdida this Christmas. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken makes a surprise visit to Iraq, community members mark 40 days since the Iraq wedding fire and a nonprofit continues rehabilitating a soccer field in an Assyrian village.

An Assyrian language course enters a third Illinois high school, archaeologists re-excavate an ancient Lamassu and the U.S. carries out strikes on Iran-affiliated targets in Syria.

A group stages a protest in Iraq in relation to the Bakhdida wedding fire, the U.S. advises citizens not to travel to Iraq and Syria says Israel struck its two main airports.

Thousands in Baghdad protest in support of Palestine, U.N. agencies say Syrian strikes on rebel-held territories have displaced 70,000 and some Bakhdida fire victims are on the way to recovery. 

The Iraq wedding fire death toll reaches 124, Turkey strikes PKK targets in northern Iraq and Baghdad claims Ankara has not communicated status of oil pipeline.

This week, we're going over our coverage of the Iraq wedding fire that has reportedly killed more than 100. You can find our full coverage at www.thewordmideast.com