HTS leader al-Sharaa meets Christian leaders amid rising tensions in Syria

DARAMSUQ — On the eve of the New Year, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the head of Syria’s military operations, convened with members of Christian clergy in Daramsuq (Damascus), seeking to address mounting concerns among Syria’s Christian communities.

The meeting comes amid heightened apprehension following the ascension of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to power last month. Syria’s state news agency, SANA, reported the gathering, which coincided with Christmas and New Year celebrations, but provided no details on the substance of the discussions.

Since the collapse of the Assad regime, Syria’s religious minorities, including Christians, have faced uncertainty about their place in the country’s shifting political landscape. Despite efforts by al-Sharaa to offer reassurances, unease persists. He has repeatedly vowed to protect all religious communities and has issued public statements emphasizing the safety and inclusion of minorities under the new order.

International observers have noted al-Sharaa’s attempts to project a message of tolerance. During meetings with Western diplomats, he reportedly emphasized that no religious minority, including Christians, would face persecution under HTS governance.

The meeting with Christian leaders coincides with plans to convene a Syrian National Dialogue Conference. A preparatory committee is expected to organize invitations and logistics for the conference, which aims to establish a transitional government and draft a new constitution.

Al-Sharaa also extended New Year greetings to Syria’s Christian community, underscoring their integral role in the nation’s social fabric. “Christians are an essential part of Syria’s identity,” he said, expressing hope that the new year would bring peace and unity to the war-torn country.