Syrian Christians attended Christmas Eve services on Tuesday, the first since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.
The service in Damascus took place under tight security, with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) vehicles stationed around the church to prevent violence. Armed individuals were seen near a Christmas tree, both taking photos and ensuring the safety of the Christian community.
Syria’s Christians attend first Christmas Eve service since al-Assad’s fall at Sednaya’s historic monastery, bringing joy to a city scarred by more than a decade of war.
— in pictures https://t.co/RSGSXfgVMN pic.twitter.com/AbxHslXmvq
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 25, 2024
Christians celebrating Christmas in Syria this year.pic.twitter.com/4wKJ8NKVgV
— Dr. Strange (Parody) (@Submission2T) December 26, 2024
The Christmas Eve services follow protests by Christians in Damascus earlier this week, sparked by the burning of a Christmas tree by members of the Islamist group Ansar al-Tawhid.
Syria: Christians and other minorities in Sahnaya, near Damascus, are protesting against the presence of foreign fighters in Christian and minority villages.
They seek to have the foreign fighters removed from all such towns, including in Wadi al-Nasara, the Valley of the… pic.twitter.com/SbtHn468ty
— Christian Emergency Alliance (@ChristianEmerg1) December 23, 2024
The demonstrations, focused on demands for greater security and religious freedoms, ended after HTS leaders promised increased security and began addressing long standing issues, including discussions to restore crosses to churches in Idlib Province.
An isolated disruption of a Christmas celebration by Islamists was reported, but armed individuals intervened to protect the gathering.
A group of Islamists disrupted a Christmas celebration in Syria last night.
However, other armed men were present and taking pictures in front of the Christmas tree, protecting the Christians who had gathered pic.twitter.com/e3IIFybGZs
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 25, 2024
