“I am so pleased as a result of the Assad regime fell. This is sort of a dream come true. No-one needs to stay beneath dictatorship. However there may be concern. I’ve to be lifelike,” stated Youssef Sabbagh, a Christian lawyer.
“HTS are right here now, and they’re an Islamic militia. That is what they’re. I want, I pray they are going to be a contemporary Islamic militia.”
“I communicate not simply as a Christian, a variety of Syrians, Muslims and everybody, we do not need Syria to develop into one other Afghanistan, we do not wish to develop into a new Libya. We have now already suffered loads.”
Syria’s Christian group is likely one of the oldest on the earth, with the country residence to some famend holy websites.
When the rebellion towards Assad started in 2011, Christians had been initially cautious about taking sides, however finally members from the group fought on either side of the battle.
Up to now week, the Archbishop of Homs, Jacques Murad, instructed the BBC there had already been three conferences with HTS, they usually had been capable of categorical their views and considerations actually.
To this point, the indicators are re-assuring for a lot of Christians.
Bars and eating places serving alcohol are open within the Christian quarter of Outdated Damascus and in different components of town. Christmas decorations are additionally up in lots of locations.
At a restaurant within the Outdated Metropolis, we met lawyer Ouday al-Khayat, who’s a Shia Muslim.
“There is no doubt that there is anticipation and nervousness. The indicators that come from HTS are good, however we should wait and watch,” he stated.
“It is not potential to know the opinions of all Shia however there’s a concern a few state of affairs much like Libya or Iraq. I consider, although, that Syria is completely different. Syrian society has been numerous for a really very long time.”