Protests Erupt in Syria After Christmas Tree Burning in Christian Town

The incident has intensified concerns over minority rights under Syria's new Islamist leadership following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

A Christmas tree in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah near Hama was set on fire by masked gunmen, sparking nationwide protests in Syria.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group now governing Syria, condemned the act, attributing it to foreign fighters, and promised swift punishment and restoration of the tree.
Protesters in Damascus and other Christian areas demanded protection for religious minorities, expressing fears over their safety and rights under the new regime.
HTS, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, has pledged to protect minority groups, though skepticism remains due to its Islamist roots and the actions of rogue elements.
The incident comes weeks after HTS ousted Bashar al-Assad, ending his decades-long rule, as questions linger about the group's ability to govern a diverse and fractured Syria.