Eight Arrested After Christmas Tree Burning; HTS Vows Punishment and Restoration

Dec 24, 2024, 06:20 AM

Syrian Christians have taken to the streets in Damascus to protest after a Christmas tree was burned down in the predominantly Christian city of Al-Suqaylabiyah in Hama province. The tree, set up a day earlier, was set ablaze on December 23 by masked men. Reports suggest that members of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group now controlling parts of Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, were responsible. HTS authorities condemned the act, promising severe punishment for the perpetrators and to restore the tree before Christmas. Eight foreign nationals have been arrested in connection with the incident. Father Maher, the priest of Hama Parish, confirmed that the tree will be rebuilt and relit by Christmas.