Hooded fighters seen in video setting fire to installation in Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah, near Hama; interim government representative condemns action; tree repaired
Today,
Screen capture from video of a Christmas tree that was set alight in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah, near Hama, Syria, December 24, 2024.
Screen capture from video of a Christmas tree that was set alight in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah, near Hama, Syria, December 24, 2024.
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DAMASCUS, Syria — Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Christian areas of Damascus early Tuesday to protest the burning of a Christmas tree near Hama in central Syria.
“We demand the rights of Christians,” protesters chanted as they marched through the Syrian capital towards the headquarters of the Orthodox Patriarchate in the Bab Sharqi neighborhood.
The protests come a little more than two weeks after an armed coalition led by Islamists toppled the government of Bashar al-Assad, who had cast himself as a protector of minorities in the Sunni-majority country, but whose regime was accused of brutally targeting and killing masses in the country’s civil war.
00:10
06:33
“We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria.
A demonstrator who gave his name as Georges told AFP he was protesting “injustice against Christians.”
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“If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here anymore,” he said.
Earlier today, armed extremists set fire to a Christmas tree in Suqaylabiyah in Hama, Syria. Local channels say they were Uzbek militants.
HTS apologized for the incident and promised to deal with any future threats, but many Christians do not believe this will happen. pic.twitter.com/1Op98CUmTB
Advertisement
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) December 23, 2024
“We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.”
The protests erupted after a video spread on social media showing hooded fighters setting fire to a Christmas tree in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah, near Hama.
Solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters in Syria
Christians in Syria protesting against burning of a Christmas tree in Damascus
Video: Roya News English pic.twitter.com/yAYJurosD0
— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) December 24, 2024
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the fighters were foreigners from the Islamist group Ansar al-Tawhid. However, the London-based SOHR, run by a single person, has regularly been accused by Syrian war analysts of false reporting.
In another video posted to social media, a religious leader from Syria’s victorious Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) addressed residents, claiming those who torched the tree were “not Syrian” and promising they would be punished.
“The tree will be restored and lit up by tomorrow morning,” he said.
#Syria’s new interim government officials confirmed that those who burned the #Christmas tree in #Suqaylibiya #Hama are foreign individuals and promises to punish them. The authorities promised to replace the tree and light it up. pic.twitter.com/ZA83lln5hH
— Faris Zwirahn فارس زويران (@FarisZwirahn) December 24, 2024
The tree was reportedly later repaired and its lights turned on again.
The Christmas tree has been restored to its place, and the perpetrators have been held accountable.
Syria for all ???? pic.twitter.com/nxmxzlxPtW
— Nedal Al-Amari (@nedalalamari) December 23, 2024
The Islamist HTS movement, rooted in al-Qaeda and supported by Turkey, has promised to protect minorities since its lightning offensive toppled Assad this month following years of stalemate.
DAMASCUS, Syria — Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets in Christian areas of Damascus early Tuesday to protest the burning of a Christmas tree near Hama in central Syria.
“We demand the rights of Christians,” protesters chanted as they marched through the Syrian capital towards the headquarters of the Orthodox Patriarchate in the Bab Sharqi neighborhood.
The protests come a little more than two weeks after an armed coalition led by Islamists toppled the government of Bashar al-Assad, who had cast himself as a protector of minorities in the Sunni-majority country, but whose regime was accused of brutally targeting and killing masses in the country’s civil war.
00:10
06:33
“We demand that Syria be for all Syrians. We want a voice in the future of our country,” said Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church as he addressed the crowd in a church courtyard, assuring them of Christians’ rights in Syria.
A demonstrator who gave his name as Georges told AFP he was protesting “injustice against Christians.”
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Editionby email and never miss our top stories
Newsletter email addressGet it
By signing up, you agree to the terms
“If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here anymore,” he said.
Earlier today, armed extremists set fire to a Christmas tree in Suqaylabiyah in Hama, Syria. Local channels say they were Uzbek militants.
HTS apologized for the incident and promised to deal with any future threats, but many Christians do not believe this will happen. pic.twitter.com/1Op98CUmTB
Advertisement
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) December 23, 2024
“We are here to demand a democratic and free government for one people and one nation,” another protester said. “We stand united — Muslims and Christians. No to sectarianism.”
The protests erupted after a video spread on social media showing hooded fighters setting fire to a Christmas tree in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah, near Hama.
Solidarity with our Christian brothers and sisters in Syria
Christians in Syria protesting against burning of a Christmas tree in Damascus
Video: Roya News English pic.twitter.com/yAYJurosD0
— Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) December 24, 2024
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the fighters were foreigners from the Islamist group Ansar al-Tawhid. However, the London-based SOHR, run by a single person, has regularly been accused by Syrian war analysts of false reporting.
In another video posted to social media, a religious leader from Syria’s victorious Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) addressed residents, claiming those who torched the tree were “not Syrian” and promising they would be punished.
“The tree will be restored and lit up by tomorrow morning,” he said.
#Syria’s new interim government officials confirmed that those who burned the #Christmas tree in #Suqaylibiya #Hama are foreign individuals and promises to punish them. The authorities promised to replace the tree and light it up. pic.twitter.com/ZA83lln5hH
— Faris Zwirahn فارس زويران (@FarisZwirahn) December 24, 2024
The tree was reportedly later repaired and its lights turned on again.
The Christmas tree has been restored to its place, and the perpetrators have been held accountable.
Syria for all ???? pic.twitter.com/nxmxzlxPtW
— Nedal Al-Amari (@nedalalamari) December 23, 2024
The Islamist HTS movement, rooted in al-Qaeda and supported by Turkey, has promised to protect minorities since its lightning offensive toppled Assad this month following years of stalemate.
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