February 10, 2025

Protests Erupt in Syria Following Christmas Tree Burning Incident

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Protests erupt in Syria over Christmas tree burning

Protests have erupted across Syria following the burning of a Christmas tree in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah, located in central Syria. The incident, which took place on the eve of Christmas celebrations, has sparked widespread outrage and calls for the new Islamist authorities to take action to protect the rights of religious minorities in the country.

The burning of the tree was captured in a video that spread quickly across social media, showing the tree ablaze in the town’s central square with masked individuals seen around the fire. The main Islamist faction in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the opposition movement that eventually ousted President Bashar al-Assad, claimed that foreign fighters were responsible for the attack. HTS has since detained several individuals believed to be involved in the incident.

HTS has long pledged to safeguard the rights of all religious and ethnic groups in Syria, but the Christmas tree burning has raised serious concerns about their ability to follow through on these promises. Following the arson, protests erupted in multiple Syrian cities, including Damascus and Suqaylabiyah in Hama province. Thousands of Syrians took to the streets to voice their anger over the attack on the Christmas tree, which many saw as a direct assault on their religious freedoms.

In the immediate aftermath of the arson, a video emerged showing a religious figure from the HTS-led administration assuring the people of Suqaylabiyah that the tree would be restored before Christmas morning. The leader held up a cross as a symbol of solidarity with the Christian community, which is unusual for HTS, as the group’s conservative Islamist stance typically avoids such symbols. This gesture was seen by many as an attempt to calm tensions and reassure Christians, but it also highlighted the sensitive and fragile relationship between the Islamist authorities and religious minorities in Syria.

As the protests continued, particularly in Damascus, frustration grew among the Christian population. In the Kassa neighborhood of the capital, demonstrators chanted, “Syria is free, non-Syrians should leave,” in reference to the foreign fighters whom HTS claimed were responsible for the tree-burning. The protesters expressed concerns that foreign influences were destabilizing the country and threatening their way of life.

Meanwhile, in Damascus’s Bab Touma neighborhood, another group of demonstrators carried crosses and Syrian flags, chanting, “We will sacrifice our souls for our cross.” Georges, one of the protesters, voiced his despair to AFP, stating, “If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here anymore.” This sentiment reflects the growing anxiety among Syria’s Christian community over their future under HTS rule and the fear that their religious freedoms could be further restricted.

Syria has a long history of religious and ethnic diversity, with significant populations of Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Druze, Alawite Shia, and Christians, alongside the majority Sunni Arab Muslim population. The recent events have underscored the tensions in the country as the new leadership, led by HTS, grapples with how to govern such a diverse society.

This incident comes at a time of significant political change in Syria, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime after more than 50 years in power. HTS, originally a jihadist group focused on establishing an Islamic state under Sharia law, has recently moderated its rhetoric and adopted a more pragmatic stance. The group has emphasized its intention to build a Syria that accommodates all its citizens, regardless of their religious or ethnic background. However, questions remain about the group’s commitment to this inclusive vision, and the burning of the Christmas tree has cast doubt on whether HTS can fulfill its promises to protect minority rights.

Despite HTS’s shift in tone, the group remains designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. However, there are indications of a potential diplomatic shift, as evidenced by the United States’ decision to lift the $10 million bounty on HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, following talks between HTS representatives and U.S. diplomats.

The presence of foreign fighters, Islamic extremists, and other factions with competing agendas remains a significant challenge for HTS as it seeks to consolidate power in Syria. The group will need to prove its ability to ensure the safety and rights of religious minorities, including Christians, if it hopes to stabilize the country and create a peaceful environment for all its citizens. The protests over the Christmas tree burning are a reminder of the delicate nature of Syria’s transition and the importance of protecting the country’s diverse communities.

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