The group that controls Syria has not imposed limitations on celebrations or prayers this year, but Christians still fear that armed elements could attack them
Protests erupted in the Christian neighborhoods of the Syrian capital Damascus after a Christmas tree was set on fire in another city by unidentified men on Monday night.
Images released online and verified by CNN show men setting fire to a publicly displayed Christmas tree in the predominantly Christian town of Suqaylabiyah, near the city of Hama. It is still unclear who set the fire, but in the meantime, a video has emerged of a rebel standing next to Christian priests, promising to punish those responsible.
“The next day you will see the tree completely restored,” the unidentified rebel told a group of protesters next to the burned Christmas tree.
The incident occurred three weeks after opposition rebels led a successful campaign to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad. The news also comes at a time when Syrian Christians join Christians from Lebanon and the Palestinian territories to celebrate Christmas in a climate of great uncertainty and fear in the region.
Protesters in the capital marched toward churches to demand better protection for Christians in the country, George, a 24-year-old Catholic resident of Damascus who chose to give only his first name to speak freely, told CNN.
When Islamist rebels seized Syria’s second-largest city in an operation that would eventually culminate in the fall of Assad’s brutal regime, Christians were assured that their churches and properties would remain protected.
Under Assad, Christians could celebrate their holidays and practice their rituals, but, like all Syrians, they faced tyrannical limitations on freedom of expression and political activity.
Currently, the armed Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed Al Jolani – a man who had established the al-Qaeda branch in Syria before reshaping his group in 2016 – controls most of Syria.
Al-Sharaa has stated that his group will ensure the protection of Syria’s minorities and all religious sects, but has not yet made a specific call for the protection of Christians ahead of Christmas celebrations. The HTS-led government announced that Wednesday (25 December) and Thursday (26 December) will be public holidays.
Residents of the Syrian capital Damascus told CNN that HTS has not imposed limitations on celebrations or prayers this year, but Christians still fear that armed elements outside HTS control could attack them.
