The incident, captured on social media, has ignited outrage among thousands of citizens who took to the streets carrying crosses and flags, pledging their commitment to their Christian identity. One protester, Georges, voiced the frustration felt by many, stating, "If we're not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don't belong here anymore."

Syria is known for its diverse ethnic and religious demographics, housing communities such as Kurds, Armenians, Christians, and Druze among others, despite the Sunni Muslim majority. Following the toppling of Assad's long-standing regime, questions loom regarding how the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which has distanced itself from its jihadist roots, will govern and uphold the rights of these minorities.

HTS, while designated as a terrorist organization by multiple international bodies, has recently seen changes in diplomatic relations, including the lifting of a bounty by the U.S. on its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. Amidst ongoing military actions against ISIS and the challenges posed by various extremist factions, the stability of Syria's new leadership remains uncertain. The call for security and protection of minority groups is now central to the country’s quest for a stable future.