Protests Erupt in Syria Over Burning of Christmas Tree

Tensions rise in Syria as protests break out following the burning of a Christmas tree, sparking outrage and calls for unity amid growing sectarian divides.

Protests have erupted in Syria following the burning of a Christmas tree, leading to calls for the newly established Islamist authorities to implement measures safeguarding minority communities.

A video shared on social media depicted the tree ablaze in the main square of Suqaylabiyah, a predominantly Christian town in central Syria.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the leading Islamist group that spearheaded the uprising resulting in President Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow, announced that foreign fighters had been detained in connection with the incident.

Representatives from HTS have pledged to safeguard the rights and freedoms of Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities.

Protesters flooded the streets nationwide, from Damascus to Suqaylabiyah in Hama province.

Footage on social media seemed to depict two masked individuals igniting the Christmas tree just as Christians in Syria were getting ready for their Christmas Eve celebrations.

Video footage captured a religious figure from the ruling HTS rebel group reassuring crowds that had gathered in Suqaylabiyah, promising that the tree would be repaired before morning.

The man then raised a cross as an act of solidarity, which is an unusual gesture for Islamist conservatives.

On Tuesday, additional protesters flooded the streets in response to the arson attack.

In the Kassa neighborhood of Damascus, some people protested against foreign fighters in Syria.

“Syria is free, and non-Syrians should depart,” they stated, referring to the foreign fighters whom HTS claimed were responsible for the attack.

In Damascus’ Bab Touma neighborhood, demonstrators held a cross and Syrian flags while chanting “we will sacrifice our souls for our cross.”

A demonstrator named Georges told the AFP news agency, “If we’re unable to practice our Christian faith in this country as we once did, then it feels like we no longer belong here.”

Syria hosts a diverse array of ethnic and religious communities, such as Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Christians, Druze, Alawite Shia Muslims, and Arab Sunnis. Among these groups, Arab Sunnis constitute the majority within the Muslim population.

A little more than two weeks ago, Bashar al-Assad’s presidency was overthrown by rebel forces, concluding the Assad family’s rule that lasted for more than 50 years.

It is still uncertain how the HTS group will govern Syria.

HTS initially started as a jihadist group that promoted violence to establish an Islamic law (Sharia) governed state. However, in recent years, it has adopted a more pragmatic and less rigid approach.

Earlier this month, as fighters advanced towards Damascus, their leaders discussed the vision of creating a Syria that belongs to all its people.

According to the Sana news agency, on Tuesday, the new authorities declared that leader Ahmed al-Sharaa had reached an agreement with “revolutionary factions” to disband all groups and consolidate them under the Ministry of Defence.

Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir announced plans to reorganize the ministry to incorporate rebel fighters.

Even though the statement referenced “all factions,” it was unclear which specific groups were included in the merger.

In Syria, numerous armed groups operate; some oppose HTS, while others have relationships with it that are ambiguous at best.

is labeled as a terrorist organization by the UN, US, EU, and UK; however, indications suggest that a diplomatic shift might be occurring.

On Friday, the United States withdrew a $10 million (£7.9 million) bounty on HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa after meetings between senior diplomats and representatives from the group.

The US is maintaining its military presence in Syria, announcing on Friday that it conducted an airstrike in the northern city of Deir Ezzor. The operation resulted in the deaths of two members of the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group.

The new Islamic leadership will face significant challenges due to the presence of foreign fighters, Islamist extremists, and regime supporters who are interested in causing instability and targeting minorities.