DAMASCUS, Syria — Christmas morning unfolded with joy for many Christians celebrating the festive season, yet beneath the surface, anxiety lingered heavily among the community. Amid the crowded churches and annual parades through the historic streets of the capital, hopes and fears intermingled. After the ousting of President Bashar Assad, Syria's Christians expressed relief but also trepidation toward the rising Islamist authorities. The future remains uncertain as power dynamics evolve.
Clashes erupted recently between Islamist factions, who have taken control following Assad's downfall, and loyalists from the former regime—events marking not only violence but also the fragility of the post-conflict political environment. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least six Islamic fighters were killed, and others wounded during confrontations sparked by the arrest of a former official from Assad's government. This individual is accused of issuing execution orders and arbitrary rulings, which have led to the deaths of thousands, exacerbated by the already tense climate.
Reports indicate these fighters belonged to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—a prominent group within the Islamist factions. Despite the group leading the charge to topple Assad, they have yet to clarify how they will share power among various factions, raising questions about their commitment to pluralism. Activists and monitors noted the violence has widened post-Assad, with revenge killings becoming common, disproportionately affecting the Alawite community, of which Assad is part.
Meanwhile, sectarian tensions have come to the forefront. Protests from Alawites emerged not only in Damascus but also along Syria's coastline and regions like Homs and Hama. A protester was reported killed and several others wounded when HTS forces confronted demonstrators, who were expressing outrage over the alleged harassment of their community—including the burning of Alawite shrines captured on video. Officials claimed the footage was old, yet the damage had been done; the curfew was initiated to restore order.
The pervasive sense of discontent was evident among displaced Syrians attempting to return home—a bittersweet endeavor for many. The conflict has left untold devastation, as illustrated by Hajjah Zakia Daemessaid, who returned to find her home unrecognizable after decades of effort. Daily life remains challenging, with people attempting to recover remnants of normalcy amid ruined infrastructures. Residents of Idlib repaired damaged shops and attempted to seal broken windows, driven by the urge to restore what little they can of their community.
Meanwhile, as authorities seek to establish control, they have also turned their attention to former practices of the Assad regime. On Tuesday, authorities confiscated substantial quantities of drugs such as Captagon and cannabis, illicit substances once used by Assad's forces. The interim government stated it destroyed over one million Captagon pills along with hundreds of kilograms of cannabis, signaling their intent to present a new image of governance.
The violence and political instability post-Assad reveal the struggles not just to establish authority but to heal from the wounds inflicted by years of brutal civil war. Just weeks after Assad's exit, the once-loyal government forces vanished, making way for various factions aiming to fill the void left behind. This chaotic transition has left the future of Syria hanging precariously, oscillated between hope and despair among its citizens.
The situation remains fluid, and though many express optimism for peace among different factions, the realities of fractured communities and deep-seated grievances suggest the road to recovery will be long and fraught with challenges. The Christmas celebrations, once filled with joy and community spirit, now serve as reminders of the complicated and often painful stakes of survival and coexistence.
