Protests have erupted in Syria after the burning of a Christmas tree in Suqaylabiyah, a predominantly Christian town near Hama. The incident, captured in a video circulating on social media, shows masked gunmen setting fire to a tree on display in the town’s central square. The act has sparked widespread outrage and calls for the protection of religious minorities under the country’s new Islamist leadership.
The primary Islamist faction that led the rebellion which toppled President Bashar al-Assad has condemned the arson. The group stated that the perpetrators were foreign fighters, who have since been detained, and assured the public that the tree would be quickly restored. Despite these assurances, the incident has ignited tensions across Syria, prompting thousands to take to the streets demanding action to safeguard religious freedoms.
In Damascus’s Bab Touma neighborhood, demonstrators carried crosses and Syrian flags, chanting, “We will sacrifice our souls for our cross.” One protester, Georges, expressed his frustration to AFP, saying, “If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here anymore.”
Syria’s diverse population includes a rich tapestry of ethnic and religious groups, such as Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Druze, Christians, Alawite Shia, and Arab Sunnis—the last of whom constitute the majority of the Muslim population. This diversity has historically defined Syria, but it now presents a challenge for the new leadership in maintaining unity and stability.
The burning of the Christmas tree comes just weeks after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government to rebel forces, ending over five decades of Assad family rule. The country’s future under the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which led the uprising, remains uncertain. While the group has distanced itself from its jihadist origins, it continues to carry an Islamist ideology.
HTS leaders have pledged to build a Syria inclusive of all its citizens, vowing to protect the rights and freedoms of religious and ethnic minorities. However, skepticism remains, given the group’s history and its designation as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, United States, European Union, and the United Kingdom.
Recent developments suggest a potential shift in diplomatic relations. The United States recently scrapped a $10 million bounty on HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa following meetings between senior diplomats and representatives from the group. Despite this, HTS faces immense challenges, particularly from foreign fighters, ISIS affiliates, and remnants of the Assad regime, all of whom pose threats to the country’s stability and security.
The United States, which continues its military presence in Syria, recently conducted an airstrike in Deir Ezzor, targeting and killing two ISIS operatives. The ongoing threat from extremist factions highlights the fragile situation Syria’s new leadership must navigate.
As Syria grapples with its new reality, the burning of the Christmas tree has become a flashpoint for broader concerns about the rights of religious minorities and the direction of the country under Islamist rule. Whether the HTS leadership can deliver on its promises of inclusivity and security remains a critical question for the nation’s future.
