Christians in Syria celebrate Christmas and the fall of Assad

Middle East

Christians in Syria celebrate Christmas and the fall of Assad

For the first time since the rebels came to power in Syria, Christians are celebrating Christmas in many churches. However, there are strict security measures in place due to fears of sabotage.

Accompanied by strict security measures, Christians in Syria celebrated Christmas for the first time since the fall of ruler Bashar al-Assad. Security forces affiliated with the Islamist group Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have been positioned outside churches and in Christian-majority neighborhoods in Damascus, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. In many places from the south to the north of Syria, churches have opened their doors for Christmas celebrations.

“Today many security forces are deployed to protect churches because there are fears of sabotage, but things are normal,” Nicola Jazgi, who attended a Christmas mass in eastern Damascus, told the German Press Agency. This year there is double reason to celebrate, said Jazgi. “Christmas and the victory of the revolution and the overthrow of the tyrant. We hope that today is the day of redemption from the era of injustices of the Assad family.”

After Assad’s fall, there was initially uncertainty among minorities in the country, and Christians were also worried about reprisals. On Monday evening, unknown people set fire to the Christmas tree in Al-Sukailabija in Hama province. One person was arrested. Hundreds of people, Christians and Muslims, demonstrated against the act on Monday evening in the capital Damascus and other cities.