Yesterday Thousands of Syrians took to the streets in protest after a Christmas tree was set alight near the city of Hama.
A video circulating online shows hooded men setting fire to a tree in the main square of the central Christian town of Al-Suqaylabiyah.
Officials from Hayat Tahir al-Sham, the rebel group that now controls Syria, said the act was carried out by “foreign fighters”, and promised harsh punishment as well as restoration of the tree.
HTS is a former al-Qaeda affiliate, although it has long distanced itself from them. Since deposing Assad in a lighting offensive earlier this month, they have promised to respect minorities and build a new Syria for all Syrians.
The Hama burning follows an incident in Aleppo, where a tree was destroyed in a Christian neighbourhood but later replaced by HTS. This main rebel faction toppled Bashar al-Assad.
Monday’s tree fire triggered demonstrations in Christian areas of Hama, Damascus and other regions, as thousands demanded Syria’s new rulers protect religious minorities.
Christians have aired concerns about Syria under HTS, with people in Damascus telling The Telegraph, Christmas decorations and celebrations have been toned down this year.
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