Protests Spread in Syria Following Christmas Tree Burning

Syria is witnessing a big protest after the incident of burning a Christmas tree in Suqaylabiyah. This is a Christian-majority town near Hama. A video shared online showed masked men torching a tree in the central square of the town.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) the Islamist group that now governs Syria had stated that the culprits were foreign fighters who have since been detained. The group assured that the tree would be restored swiftly.

The incident sparked disappointment and anger across the country with thousands of demonstrators demanding stronger protection for religious minorities. In Damascus’ Bab Touma neighborhood, protesters carried Syrian flags and a cross, chanting, “We will sacrifice our souls for our cross.”

According to the local reports one of the protesters resident Georges said,  “If we can’t live our Christian faith in this country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here anymore”.

Syria is home to diverse ethnic and religious communities. Christians, Kurds, Alawites, Druze, and Sunni Arabs are the major populations. The new Islamist rulers face scrutiny regarding how they will ensure the rights and safety of minorities.

HTS formerly designated as a jihadist group. This group has recently shown its commitment to creating “a Syria for all Syrians.” But after the commitment, there are challenges including the presence of extremist elements like ISIS and foreign fighters. These are aiming to destabilize Syria after the ASSAD fall.

Apart from this the Americas is continuing its military operations and targeting ISIS operatives by airstrikes in Syria. The U.S. recently removed a $10 million bounty on HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa after diplomatic engagements, signaling potential shifts in relations.

The situation in Syria is highlighting that the new leadership will face a tough situation in Syria. Syria needs time, and support from the world to rebuild itself and restart a journey to become a peaceful nation where people will get all basic human rights, children will get a proper environment to learn and grow, and women will get equality!

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