Protests have erupted across Syria following the burning of a Christmas tree in Suqaylabiyah, a Christian-majority town near Hama.
A widely shared video on social media captured masked gunmen setting fire to the tree in the town’s main square. The incident has fueled anger among Syria’s Christian community, who demand assurances for the protection of religious minorities under the new Islamist-led government.
The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which led the uprising that ousted President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month, condemned the act. HTS leaders attributed the arson to foreign fighters and confirmed the suspects had been detained. They pledged to restore the tree swiftly and reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding religious freedoms.
Despite these reassurances, thousands of Syrians took to the streets to voice their outrage. In Damascus’ Bab Touma neighborhood, demonstrators carried crosses and Syrian flags, chanting, “We will sacrifice our souls for our cross.”
One protester, Georges, expressed his community’s fear: “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 is home to a mosaic of ethnic and religious groups, including Christians, Kurds, Druze, Alawite Shia, and Arab Sunnis, the latter comprising the majority Muslim population. Protecting the rights of these diverse communities remains a critical test for HTS, which has distanced itself from its jihadist past and vowed to govern inclusively.
HTS, still designated as a terrorist organization by the UN, US, EU, and UK, has been taking steps toward political legitimacy. This week, the US removed a $10 million bounty on HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic relations following meetings between HTS representatives and international diplomats.
Meanwhile, the US has maintained its military presence in Syria. On Friday, it confirmed an airstrike in Deir Ezzor, killing two members of the Islamic State (IS).
The burning of the Christmas tree highlights the significant challenges facing Syria’s new leadership. The presence of foreign fighters, extremist factions, and possible loyalists to the former regime threatens the fragile stability of a country navigating its post-Assad era. Whether HTS can fulfill its promises of inclusivity and security remains to be seen.
