Syrian armed opposition protects Christians for holiday

By Mohamed Misto and Adham Kako

ISTANBUL/AL-SUWAYDA (AA) - Southern Syria’s Christian community is celebrating the Christmas holiday amid tight security provided by armed opposition fighters.

In opposition-held parts of the southern Al-Suwayda province, scores of Christians took part in church services in the majority-Christian town of Harb.

Holidaymakers also visited their relatives and decked their homes, gardens and streets with colorful Christmas lights.

Armed opposition fighters, meanwhile, have imposed strict security measures, stationing guards around the church with a view to preempting possible attacks.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, residents expressed satisfaction with security provided by opposition groups.

According to town resident George Bishara, Harb serves as an example of peaceful coexistence between the country’s Muslims and Christians.

"There are no problems between us,” Bishara told Anadolu Agency. “Both communities respect each other's holidays.”

Abu Saddam, a commander of the opposition Free Syrian Army (FSA), confirmed that FSA fighters were protecting the region’s Christian communities.

"We are responsible for protecting Christian lives,” he told Anadolu Agency. “Contrary to the Assad regime’s claims, the FSA isn’t the enemy of the Christians.”

Syria has only just begun to emerge from a destructive civil war that began in 2011, when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the fighting and more than 10 million displaced, according to claims by UN officials.