HTS Arrests Eight Chechen Militants for Burning Christmas Tree in Syrian Christian Town

Dec 23, 2024, 05:45 PM

A Christmas tree in Al-Suqaylabiyah, a predominantly Christian town in Syria's Hama province, was set ablaze shortly after it was erected. Reports indicate that the perpetrators were eight foreign fighters affiliated with Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), including Chechen militants. HTS officials have reportedly arrested those responsible and promised to punish them severely, as well as to restore the tree before dawn. The HTS leader in Hama appeared in a video acknowledging the incident and assuring measures to prevent similar events in the future. The incident has led to protests by local Christians and has been seen as a challenge to HTS leader al-Julani's reputation. The entire population of Al-Suqaylabiyah is Christian, and the burning of the tree has raised concerns about religious tolerance in the region.