Syria has witnessed widespread protests following the burning of a Christmas tree near Hama. A video circulating on social media showed masked individuals setting fire to the tree in the main square of Suqaylabiyah, a predominantly Christian town in central Syria. The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction, which has recently assumed control of the country, stated that the arsonists were foreign fighters who had been apprehended. The group pledged to quickly restore the tree.
Thousands of Syrians rallied nationwide, demanding stronger protections for religious minorities under the new leadership. In Damascus’ Bab Touma neighborhood, protesters carried crosses and Syrian flags, chanting slogans such as “We will sacrifice our souls for our cross.”
“If we cannot freely practice our Christian faith as we once did, this is no longer our home,” said Georges, a demonstrator, in an interview with AFP.
Syria is home to a diverse mix of ethnic and religious communities, including Kurds, Christians, Druze, Alawites, Assyrians, and Arab Sunnis, who form the majority of the Muslim population.
Earlier this month, Bashar al-Assad’s presidency came to an end after rebel forces took control, marking the conclusion of over five decades of Assad family rule. The HTS group, with a history rooted in jihadism, has now assumed leadership. While its leaders have distanced themselves from their extremist past, their governance approach remains uncertain.
HTS has pledged to build an inclusive Syria, respecting the rights of religious and ethnic minorities. However, the group remains listed as a terrorist organization by the UN, US, EU, and UK, although recent developments suggest a potential shift in international diplomacy.
On Friday, the US removed a $10 million bounty on HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa after diplomatic discussions with the group. Meanwhile, the US military continues operations in Syria, with a recent airstrike in Deir Ezzor reportedly eliminating two ISIS operatives.
The presence of foreign fighters and extremist factions, including remnants of ISIS, poses a significant challenge to the stability of Syria and the protection of its minorities under the new administration.
