A group of eight foreign nationals was arrested in the northwestern Syrian city of Hama after setting fire to a Christmas tree in a public square in the predominantly Christian town of Suqalibiyah.
The perpetrators, reportedly Chechen fighters associated with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) faction, prevented locals from intervening as they burned the tree. Local security forces under HTS quickly arrested the suspects.
A Group of 8 Foreign Nationals have been arrested by Security Forces in the Northwestern Syrian City of Hama, for lighting a Christmas Tree in the City on Fire. Father Maher, the Priest of Hama Parish, states that the Tree will be restored and relit by Christmas. pic.twitter.com/xcdhjTQEQ3
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 23, 2024
Father Maher, the priest of Hama Parish, condemned the act but assured the community that the tree would be restored and relit in time for Christmas.
The recent incident sparked concerns about religious freedom and protests against new leadership in Syria led by Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly known as Ahmed al-Jolani).
A large group of Christians gathered in Al-Sqailbiyyah, Hama province, to protest the destruction of the Christmas tree. An HTS delegation reportedly arrived in the city to promise that the incident will not happen again.
BREAKING:
A large group of Christians has gathered in Al-Sqailbiyyah in the Hama province to protest against a group of Islamist Chechens burning down their large Christmas tree.
An HTS delegation has arrived in the city to promise that it won’t happen again.
Foreign fighters… pic.twitter.com/lTnnNUyTnT
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 23, 2024
In nearby towns like Sahnaya and the Valley of Christians, residents held protests calling for the removal of foreign Islamist fighters from Christian-majority areas. Demonstrators also gathered at the Mariamite Patriarchate in Damascus, urging Christian leaders to advocate for the protection of minority rights.
BREAKING:
The Christians and Druze in Sahnaya, near Damascus countryside, are protesting in solidarity with the Christians in the Valley of Christians.
They demand that HTS removes all Islamist foreign fighters from Christian and minority areas in Syria. pic.twitter.com/ZfDWmn98rJ
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) December 23, 2024
Another protest in the #Christians Valley against the presence of HTS foreign fighters in the #Christian towns.
The protesters are chanting:
Don’t challenge us!
The Christian faith is our pride! pic.twitter.com/VWIR3NCgDI— Greco-Levantines World Wide (@GrecoLevantines) December 23, 2024
Amid the ongoing unrest in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Christian leaders remain cautious and have advised followers to tone down public Christmas celebrations, keep religious symbols within church premises, and dress modestly to avoid drawing attention.
