After Masked Gunmen In Syria Set A Christmas Tree On Fire, People Are Protesting For Christians’ Rights

Protests have broken out in Syria after masked gunmen were seen setting a Christmas tree on fire in Hama city, sparking concerns about the rights of Christians under Islamic rule. 

A video shared on social media on Monday, Dec. 23, showed masked gunmen setting a Christmas tree in Suqaylabiyah town, a town mostly inhabited by Christian residents, ablaze.

Syrian rights group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that firefighters rushed to stop the fire and the gunmen were later arrested by security forces.

The Obsevatory said the armed men in the video were a group of foreigner Uzbeks from the Islamist group Ansar al-Tawhid and not related to Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which currently runs the transitional government after toppling Bashar al-Assad.

Hundreds of people gathered in Damascus demanding Christians’ rights, demanding justice and security for minority groups out of fear of potential violence between different religious and ethnic groups.

 “If we're not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country... then we don't belong here anymore,” one protester said.

HTS condemned the actions of the group responsible for burning the tree, and a video after the incident showed a member of HTS holding a cross and promising that those involved would be punished and that the Christmas tree would be restored.

HTS is a former affiliate of al-Qaeda but cut ties in 2016 and has been since trying to project a more moderate image.

After toppling the Assad regime in a 12-day lightning offensive, HTS has promised public unity and that it will protect minorities, including the Christian community.

While Syria's population is predominantly Arab and Sunni Muslim, it is also home to other ethnic groups including Alawites, Christians, Druze, Kurds, Armenians, and Assyrians.

HTS; leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has publicly said minority communities’rights will be safeguarded. 

The HTS-ruled government has also declared Dec. 25 and 26 public holidays.

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