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On December 23, 2024, local media outlets reported that a Christmas tree installed in Al-Sqailbiyyah, in the Hama countryside, the previous day, was set on fire by unknown gunmen.[1] A Syrian jihadi cleric claimed the perpetrators represented the remnants of the ousted Al-Assad regime.
The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights (SOHR) reported that "masked gunmen set fire to a Christmas tree in Al-Suqaylabiyah in the Hama countryside, which is inhabited by Christians." It added that the gunmen prevented citizens from approaching the tree, noting that firefighting teams managed to extinguish the fire after the gunmen left the site.[2]
SOHR also reported that dozens of Al-Suqaylabiyah residents participated in demonstrations protesting against the "security chaos, restrictions on religious rituals, and attacks on symbols of the Christian religion."
Jihadi Cleric: Christmas Tree Was Torched By Remaining Al-Assad Regime Loyalists
Telegram channels affiliated with jihadis alleged the tree was torched by remaining supporters of the ousted Syrian regime of Bashar Al-Assad.[3]
"Al-Suqaylabiyah, Hama: the remnants of the criminal regime who roam freely torch the Christmas tree of the Christians, the closest sect to the Muslims, with whom we have a covenant and a pledge [to defend]," wrote Syrian jihadi cleric Abu Yehya Al-Shami.
"Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham, Which Pardoned Assad Loyalists, Is Responsible For The Incident"
The cleric, who is known to be critical of Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) which is now in charge of forming the Syrian transitional government after the fall of the Assad regime, blamed HTS for the incident, suggesting that its decision to pardon soldiers affiliated with the former Syrian army has empowered them to spread chaos.
"This is the result of the so-called 'free men' policy, which we have denounced[;] the Shabiha [i.e. a loyalist to the former regime] – even if he claims to be a Muslim – is our enemy, unlike a Christian who is not our enemy."
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