Premium

Watch: Hundreds protest in Syria after Christmas tree set on fire

A video surfaced on social media which showed a Christmas tree burning in Suqaylabiyah, a Christian-majority town in central Syria.

It wasn’t clear who had set the tree on fire but a rebel was visible standing next to a Christian priest in a video and vowing to give punishment to perpetrators. (Photo: X/ Screengrab)

Hundreds of demonstrators took to streets to protest in Syria’s capital Damascus against the burning of a Christmas tree in another town, which has prompted the new Islamist regime to take steps to protect minorities.

A video surfaced on social media which showed a Christmas tree burning in Suqaylabiyah, a Christian-majority town in central Syria. It wasn’t clear who had set the tree on fire but a rebel was visible standing next to a Christian priest in a video and vowing to give punishment to perpetrators.

The protesting group was told that “Next morning you will see the tree completely restored,” by the unidentified rebel, reported CNN.

Protests erupted in Damascus’ Christian areas after a Christmas tree was set on fire in Suqaylabiyah, fueling tensions. The act has sparked widespread anger in the community. #Syria #Protests pic.twitter.com/H7uBFReclE

— Samuel Walker 🇺🇸🇨🇦 (@samuelwalker98) December 24, 2024

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the face of the Syrian rebels group which led the uprising and toppled the ousted President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, has claimed that few foreign fighters have been detained related to the incident.

Story continues below this ad

HTS has promised to bring back stability in Syria and its representatives vowed to protect the rights and freedoms of religious and ethnic minorities.

Syria’s Christians have now joined the Christians in Lebanon and Palestine in celebrating Christmas in terms of great uncertainty and fear in the region.

Also Read | Syria’s Christians fearful of new Islamist leaders as Christmas approaches

A demonstrator named Georges told news agency AFP that he was protesting over the “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 any more,” he said, reported The Guardian.

In an announcement made by the new establishment of Syria, the new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has been able to reach an agreement with all the former rebel leaders to dissolve their respective groups and consolidate them under the defence ministry.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

9 men killed in Chennai construction site had left Assam to build a better life

India52 min ago

Nine young men from the Dimasa tribe, working at a construction site in Tamil Nadu, were killed when a concrete arch they were working on collapsed. The brothers Provit and Sorbojit Thaosen were among the victims, along with four others from their village. The incident highlights the lack of employment opportunities and low wages that force many from their villages to work as migrant workers.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS