Fear and uncertainty for Christians in post-Assad Syria
The burning of a Christmas tree by armed men in the Syrian city of Hama has caused concern among Christians. Many fear they may become targets of Islamic factions following the fall of the Assad regime.
According to the "Daily Mail," the burning of the Christmas tree by armed men in the Syrian city of Hama has raised concerns among Christians that they may become targets of Islamic factions after the fall of the Assad regime. The ousting of Bashar al-Assad's brutal government by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamic rebel group previously connected to al-Qaeda, has heightened anxiety about the future of Christians and other minorities in the country.
HTS responded swiftly to the shocking footage circulating in the media. The group's religious leader assured residents that those who burned the tree are not Syrians and will be punished. "The tree will be restored and lit up by tomorrow morning," he said. Local media reported that the work was completed as promised.
The priest in the city of Suqaylabiyah, where Christians are the majority, also reported that the culprits were eight foreigners who decided to burn the Christmas tree two days after lights were placed on it. Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Christian districts in Damascus to protest the burning of the tree. "We demand the rights of Christians" chanted the protesters.
Protests in Syria
The protests took place just over two weeks after an armed coalition toppled dictator Assad, who ruled the country with an iron fist for 24 years, and his removal ushered in a new period of uncertainty for Syrians. Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, publicly presented his government as promoting secularism and protecting minorities, but in reality, the brutal repression of his regime affected every part of society, and members of the Christian, Muslim, and other communities fled the country during the bloody civil war.
Despite the joy over his removal, there is widespread concern among Christians and other minorities about what the new administration under HTS leadership means for their freedoms. Last week, unknown attackers opened fire at an Orthodox church in Hama. No one was hurt in the incident, and a local bishop stated that the authorities responded promptly.
Georges, one of the demonstrators in Damascus, emphasized in an interview with AFP that he is protesting against "injustice against Christians." If we're not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don't belong here anymore, said the man.
Concerns are growing in Syria
There are serious concerns that HTS may not be able to control all armed factions, and retaliatory attacks on Christian communities, perceived as supporters of the old regime, may occur. HTS began its activity as an offshoot of al-Qaeda and is currently recognized as a terrorist organization by the UN, the USA, the EU, and the UK.
Sharaa now claims that HTS should be removed from the list of terrorist organizations and insists that it is not a terrorist group and does not attack civilians or civilian areas.
Assad has left the country, most likely obtaining asylum in Russia. The further fate of the ousted president is unknown, and the new order in Syria raises concerns about the future security of religious minorities.
