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BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
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Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild
Syrian sources: The Israeli occupation has begun withdrawing from the areas it infiltrated last night in the Quneitra countryside.

Syrian Christians urged to limit Christmas celebrations amid tensions

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Reuters
  • 23 Dec 2024 18:38
  • 1 Shares
2 Min Read

In Damascus, residents of Bab Touma, a historically Christian district, reported heightened anxiety after vehicles patrolled the area playing extremist songs.

  • x
  • A Syrian woman lights a candle inside a church during the first Sunday Mass since Syrian President Bashar Assad's ouster, in old Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP)
    A Syrian woman lights a candle inside a church during the first Sunday Mass since Syrian President Bashar Assad's ouster, in old Damascus, Syria, Sunday, December 15, 2024. (AP)

Reuters on Monday reported that Christian leaders in Syria are urging their communities to minimize Christmas celebrations this year, despite reassurances from the new regime leadership that religious freedom will be respected.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the new Syrian regime has attempted to project a more moderate image, swapping militant rhetoric for diplomacy.

Al-Sharaa has told Western officials and minority groups that his government will refrain from targeting Alawites, Christians, and other minorities. Yet, many Christians remain unconvinced of these promises of security and coexistence.

Read more: Greek Orthodox Patriarchate: Syria's future must reflect identity

Tensions flared last week when a Greek Orthodox church in Hama came under attack by unidentified assailants, who vandalized a cemetery and attempted to desecrate religious symbols.

🟥🟥 بعد يومين من الاعتداء على مقبرة المسيحيين في حماة وسط سورية تم اليوم اطلاق النار من تكـ،،فيريين على مقر المطرانية . pic.twitter.com/4c8Orhyy8C

— الأشقر || Ahme || (@ALASHKAR_TV) December 18, 2024

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In Damascus, residents of Bab Touma, a historically Christian district, reported heightened anxiety after vehicles patrolled the area playing Islamist songs.

A photograph of an armored vehicle bearing a threatening message against Christians further fueled fears. 

#مقاومون_أحرار #عاجــــــ_الان_ــــــــل:
عصابات الجولاني وسط دمشق في ساحة العباسيين: لقائكم قريب يا عباد الصليب يتوعدون المسيحيين علنا بالقتل والتهجير… و شعارهم: العلوية على التابوت والمسيحية على بيروت ….

لقد بدأ السلام والازدهار في سوريا 👍 pic.twitter.com/tFp9XgijVE

— الصــ ͡ــرڪــ ͡ــال (@Irmolove1) December 17, 2024

Local religious leaders, such as Bishop Andrew Bahhi of St. George's Syriac Orthodox Church, expressed concern over these incidents but noted HTS's swift response in addressing them.

"The community is watching to see if the groups currently in power are genuinely committed to establishing a civil society that offers equal opportunities for all," Bahhi said.

According to the Greek Orthodox Church, authorities quickly apprehended those responsible for the Hama attack, and HTS leadership compelled an apology for the threatening display in Damascus.

Read more: HTS, armed groups assault Sayyeda Zeinab Shrine, St. Georges Church

  • Syria
  • christians in Syria
  • Syrian churches
  • HTS

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