• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Saturday, June 7, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

Protests Erupt In Syria Over Burning Of Christmas Tree

by Nafisat Abdulrahman
5 months ago
in Foreign News
Syria
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

Protests have erupted across Syria after masked gunmen set fire to a Christmas tree in Suqaylabiyah, a Christian-majority town near Hama.

Advertisement

The incident sparked outrage among religious minorities and raised questions about the security of Christians under the new Islamist leadership.

A video shared on social media showed two masked men burning the tree in the town’s main square on the eve of Christmas celebrations.

The arson attack, which was widely condemned, prompted thousands of demonstrators to take to the streets, demanding protection for religious minorities.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist faction that recently took power after toppling President Bashar al-Assad, said the men responsible for the attack were foreign fighters. The group announced that the suspects had been detained.

RELATED

Lee Jae-myung

South Korea’s New President Lee Jae-myung Pledges Recovery After Martial Law Crisis

3 days ago
Musk Blasts Trump’s Spending Bill After Exiting White House

Musk Blasts Trump’s Spending Bill After Exiting White House

3 days ago

In a bid to reassure the Christian community, a religious leader from HTS addressed the crowds in Suqaylabiyah, promising that the tree would be repaired by morning. In a symbolic gesture of solidarity, the leader held up a cross, a rare move for Islamist conservatives.

The attack ignited nationwide protests. In Damascus, demonstrators in the Kassa neighbourhood called for the expulsion of foreign fighters. “Syria is free, non-Syrians should leave,” they chanted, reflecting growing discontent with foreign influence in the country.

In Bab Touma, another predominantly Christian neighbourhood in Damascus, protesters carried crosses and Syrian flags, chanting, “We will sacrifice our souls for our cross.” A demonstrator named Georges told AFP, “If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here anymore.”

Syria’s diverse population includes Kurds, Armenians, Assyrians, Christians, Druze, Alawite Shia, and Arab Sunnis, the latter being the majority of the Muslim population. Protecting the rights of these minorities has become a critical challenge for HTS, which is transitioning from its jihadist roots to governing a fractured nation.

HTS, once known for its hardline stance and links to al-Qaeda, attempted to adopt a more inclusive approach in recent years. As the group’s fighters marched into Damascus earlier this month, its leaders promised to build “a Syria for all Syrians” and protect the rights and freedoms of minorities.

Despite these assurances, HTS remained designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.

However, recent developments suggested a potential diplomatic shift. The US recently scrapped a $10 million bounty on HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa after meetings between senior diplomats and HTS representatives.

The United States, which continued its military presence in Syria, carried out an airstrike in Deir Ezzor on Friday, killing two Islamic State (IS) fighters.

The burning of the Christmas tree underscored the challenges facing HTS as it sought to govern Syria. The presence of foreign fighters, Islamic extremists, and remnants of Assad regime loyalists threatened to destabilise the fragile nation and undermine efforts to protect minorities.

As Syria adjusts to its new leadership, the ability of HTS to maintain security, foster unity, and uphold its promises of inclusivity will determine the country’s future. For now, the Christmas tree in Suqaylabiyah stands as a symbol of the tensions and hopes of a divided nation.


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel

START EARNING US DOLLARS as a Nigerian ($35,000) monthly. Companies are sacking their workers due to AI (artificial intelligence), business owners are in panic mode. Only the smart will make it. Click here


Tags: Syria
SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

JUST-IN: Dele Farotimi Meets Bail Conditions, Regains Freedom

Next Post

Customs Intercepts N18.71bn Foreign Rice, Other Contraband In Lagos

Nafisat Abdulrahman

Nafisat Abdulrahman

I am a dedicated reporter at Leadership Newspaper, where I bring a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling to a diverse range of topics, including business, sports, politics, and international affairs. My work aims to provide readers with accurate, timely, and engaging reports that break down the complexities of current events. From covering high-profile political shifts and court cases to exploring the latest in economic developments and sporting events, I strive to offer insightful and comprehensive coverage. My stories include in-depth analyses of economic trends, detailed political reports, and human interest pieces that highlight significant global and local events. I am committed to delivering news that informs and fosters a deeper understanding of the issues shaping our world. My goal is to engage readers with well-researched and thought-provoking content

You May Like

Lee Jae-myung
Foreign News

South Korea’s New President Lee Jae-myung Pledges Recovery After Martial Law Crisis

2025/06/04
Musk Blasts Trump’s Spending Bill After Exiting White House
Foreign News

Musk Blasts Trump’s Spending Bill After Exiting White House

2025/06/03
Elon Musk Denies Drug Use Allegations From 2024 Campaign
Foreign News

Elon Musk Denies Drug Use Allegations From 2024 Campaign

2025/06/01
Windhoek To Host 10th Leaders Without Borders Summit
Foreign News

Windhoek To Host 10th Leaders Without Borders Summit

2025/05/31
trump
Foreign News

Supreme Court Allows Trump To Revoke Legal Status For 500,000 Migrants

2025/05/31
Mahama Returns As Ghana President After 3 Attempts
Foreign News

John Mahama Condemns Trump’s ‘White Genocide’ Claim, Attack On Ramaphosa

2025/05/30
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

ACF Mourns Uwais, Describes Ex-CJN Jurist Of Repute

Tolu Arokodare On Target As Super Eagles Share Spoils Against Russia

Godly Parenting Summit To Empower Parents For Brighter Future

Eid-al-Adha: No Nation Rises Without Unity, Sacrifice — Shettima

Makinde Advocates 6-year Single-term For Political Office Holders

Fire Guts Section Of Kano Phone Market On Eid Day

Hardship: El-Rufai, Amaechi Owe Nigerians Apology — Shehu Sani

Raphinha Named 2024/2025 La Liga Player Of The Season

Benue Gov’t Directs Residents To Vacate Flood-prone Areas

Gabriel Signs New Long-term Deal At Arsenal 

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.