Protests Ignite in Syria After Christmas Tree Burnt

Protests have ignited across Syria following the incendiary act of burning a Christmas tree in the predominantly Christian town of Suqaylabiyah, near Hama. Video footage circulating online captured masked assailants torching the festive tree in the town's central square on the eve of Christmas celebrations.

The leading Islamist faction that spearheaded the rebellion culminating in the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad identified the arsonists as foreign combatants, claiming they had been apprehended. However, the incident has stoked fears among religious minorities, prompting thousands to mobilize in demonstrations nationwide, demanding assurances of protection under the new governance.

The attack occurred late Monday evening, with two veiled figures setting the tree ablaze, an act that drew immediate condemnation. By morning, a representative of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the ruling rebel coalition, addressed an assembly of distressed locals, vowing to restore the tree. In an unexpected gesture of unity, the official held aloft a Christian cross, a significant departure from traditional Islamist conservatism.

Unrest intensified on Tuesday as demonstrators poured into the streets. Protestors in Damascus's Kassa district chanted vehemently against the presence of foreign militants, shouting, "Syria is free; non-Syrians must leave!" Meanwhile, in Bab Touma, another Christian enclave in the capital, demonstrators wielded crosses and Syrian flags, proclaiming, "We will sacrifice our souls for our cross." A protestor named Georges lamented, "If we cannot freely practice our Christian faith in the land of our ancestors, we no longer belong here."

Syria, a mosaic of ethnicities and faiths—including Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Druze, Alawites, and Sunni Arabs—faces an uncertain future under HTS leadership. The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime two weeks ago marked the end of a five-decade dynasty, leaving the country at a pivotal crossroads. Although HTS has its origins in jihadist ideology, advocating a Sharia-based governance system, its leaders have recently espoused a more inclusive rhetoric, pledging to safeguard the rights of all Syrians, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.

The international community remains skeptical of HTS's promises. Designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations, United States, European Union, and United Kingdom, the group faces substantial hurdles in garnering global recognition. Notably, recent diplomatic overtures have hinted at a potential recalibration of international policy. Last Friday, the United States withdrew a $10 million bounty on HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, following undisclosed discussions with group representatives.

Despite these developments, Syria's fragility persists. The United States continues its military presence, recently conducting an airstrike in Deir Ezzor, targeting Islamic State operatives. Meanwhile, the presence of foreign fighters, extremist factions, and lingering elements of the old regime threatens to destabilize the nascent administration.

The road ahead for Syria is fraught with complexity, as its leaders must navigate a labyrinth of internal divisions, external pressures, and the profound challenge of rebuilding a fractured nation while honoring their commitments to inclusivity and security.