Hundreds Protest in Damascus Over Burning of Christmas Tree in Syria

Damascus, Syria: Hundreds of demonstrators flooded the streets in Christian-majority areas of Damascus on Tuesday morning to protest the burning of a Christmas tree in the town of Suqaylabiyah, located near Hama in central Syria. The protests, which erupted in the wake of the incident, saw marchers chanting slogans demanding the rights of Christians as they made their way towards the headquarters of the Orthodox Patriarchate in the Bab Sharqi neighborhood.

The unrest follows a turbulent political shift in Syria, with an armed coalition led by Islamists recently overthrowing the government of Bashar al-Assad. Assad had long presented himself as a protector of religious minorities in the country, which is predominantly Sunni. The burning of the Christmas tree and the subsequent protests highlight growing tensions in the aftermath of the recent changes.

Georges, one of the protesters, told AFP, "We demand justice for Christians. If we're not allowed to practice our Christian faith as we used to, then perhaps we don't belong here anymore." His sentiments were echoed by many others who joined the demonstration, expressing concern over the future of the Christian community in Syria.

The incident that sparked the protests was captured in a video that quickly spread across social media. The footage showed a group of hooded fighters setting fire to the Christmas tree in Suqaylabiyah, a town with a significant Christian population. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in the UK, identified the attackers as members of the Islamist group Ansar al-Tawhid, believed to be foreign fighters.

In response, a religious leader from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a militant group rooted in Al-Qaeda and supported by Turkey, condemned the attack. A video posted on social media featured the HTS leader addressing local residents, reassuring them that the perpetrators, who were "not Syrian," would face punishment. "The tree will be restored and lit up by tomorrow morning," the leader vowed.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's recent offensive, which helped topple the Assad government, has raised concerns and hopes alike. While the group has pledged to protect religious minorities in Syria, the destruction of the Christmas tree has sparked fears about the safety and future of Christians in the country.