Until Christmas there is war in Syria. Pine trees are burned and Christians don’t like it

In Damascus, a group set fire to a Christmas tree. The case has repeated itself and, in cities with Christian majorities, Islamist rebels are not viewed favorably.

A video showing men setting fire to a publicly displayed Christmas tree in the predominantly Christian town of Suqaylabiyah, near the city of Hama, has emerged online, giving rise to protests in the Syrian capital by Christian groups.

The same case happened in Damascus, where a Christmas tree was burned and there were protests in Christian neighborhoods.

Now, protesters in the capital marched this Monday towards churches to demand better protection for Christians in the countryerecting Catholic crosses, said to George, a 24-year-old Catholic who lives in Damascus.

SYRIA

THIS IS POWERFUL

Christians DEFIANTLY raise a Cross in place of their Christmas Tree which was set on fire by Western backed Jihadist THUGS this evening

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena)

Right now, those who control most of Syria — for 3 weeks — are the Islamic armed rebel group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), led by Ahmad al-Sharaaformerly known as Abu Mohammed Al Jolani — who created the al Qaeda branch in Syria changed the group’s name in 2016.

Despite not being Christian, the HTS-led government has said that Wednesday (25 December) and Thursday (26 December) will be holidays.

“Hayat Tahrir Al Sham has not announced anything that would impede our celebrations… but there are Christians who do not want to go out to celebrate because fear being attacked by armed individuals dishonest,” says George. “It would make a big difference if announcements were made about better security for Christmas. Until now, there is no adequate security and 100% organized.”

Hilda Haskour, 50 years old, resident of Aleppo and also Christian, states that “we just want to live in peace and security, we are not asking for much… there is fear, people are tired“.

Also the city of Bethlehemin Israeli-occupied Palestine, has Catholic residents, who will have a limited Christmas.

“This year’s Christmas celebrations will be limited to prayers and religious rituals in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza and throughout Palestine and as a rejection of the oppression and injustice they suffer,” said a statement from the Speaker of the House, Anton Salman.

Last year, days before Christmas, an Israeli military sniper killed two women in the Parish of the Holy Familyaccording to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Already in Lebanonwhich also has several areas where people believe in Christ, this Christmas the terrorist group’s ceasefire with Israel is celebrated.

“My brother is going back from New York on purpose to celebrate with our mother,” he says Tony Battean Armenian Catholic living in the capital, Beirut.

“We want stability, we are tired. We were occupied by the Syrians for years and then we had Iranian influence, and we are tired of the Christian infighting, the Islamic infighting, the war between Hezbollah and Israel, all Lebanese are tired, not just Christians“, he laments.