Protests broke out in Damascus after a video showed an artificial Christmas tree on fire in a Christian neighborhood. Hundreds of people, carrying wooden crosses and chanting against sectarian strife, marched through the streets. The protests appeared to be small and confined largely to Damascus.
The incident sparked fears of persecution among minority groups, including Christians, Druse, and Alawites. However, the newly empowered rebels have reassured minority groups that they will be protected. Syria’s new government did not immediately comment on the incident.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed foreign fighters for the Christmas tree burning and reported several attacks against Syrian minority groups in recent days. The group said shrines belonging to the Alawite sect were also attacked, as members of the Assad family are Alawites and held a historically favored position under their rule.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/world/middleeast/syria-christmas-tree-burning-protests.html