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The swift toppling of the Assad regime by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) has left many Syrians wondering about the future of the country’s religious minorities.

"It's the apocalypse," says 35-year-old Michel Hanna, reflecting the deep anxiety among some in Syria's Christian community following HTS’s rise to power.

"Syrians want a country that is free from corruption, injustice, and favouritism," Hanna tells °®Âþµº. "But we also want a secular, civil state where all ethnicities and religions come together as one.â€�

Christians, who once made up about , have seen their numbers dwindle dramatically from 1.5 million in 2011 to just 300,000 today.

Now, with HTS in control after a seismic eleven-day takeover, the community finds itself at a crossroads between cautious hope and deep-seated fear, especially given the leader's past associations with extremist organisations.

A complex transition of power

HTS and its leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohamed Al-Jolani) have emerged as unlikely power brokers in Syria's complex political landscape.

Despite Al-Sharaa's past connections to Al-Qaeda and the Iraqi insurgency during the period of the 2003 US occupation, the group has moved swiftly to present itself as a moderate force capable of governing a diverse nation.

In an with the BBC, which now describes Al-Sharaa as Syria's de-facto leader, he emphatically distanced his organisation from extremist governance models, promising that Syria would not become "another Afghanistan".

Instead, he pledged that a committee of Syrian legal experts would draft a new constitution guaranteeing justice for all citizens, regardless of their religious or ethnic background.

The group's apparent moderation has begun to yield diplomatic dividends. In a significant policy shift, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf announced that the United States is dropping a $10 million reward for Al-Sharaa's arrest following a direct meeting with him. Leaf characterised the HTS leader as "pragmatic" and cited "positive messages" regarding the prevention of terrorist activities.

The US State Department has expressed support for what Leaf described as a "Syrian-led political process that results in an inclusive and representative government which respects the rights of all Syrians, including women, and Syria's diverse ethnic and religious communities".Ìý

This dramatic shift in Washington's stance has prompted other Western nations to consider lifting HTS's terrorist designation, which has been in place since 2018.

Daily life under new rule

Yet on the ground, Syria's Christians are experiencing a more complex reality. In Bab Touma, Damascus's historically Christian neighbourhood, the atmosphere remains charged with uncertainty.

Hanna, an administrative assistant at a private company, says that despite HTS's assurances that nightlife establishments can remain open, these once-vibrant gathering places now stand eerily empty.Ìý

"Tension and anxiety are palpable in the alleys of the old neighbourhood," he says. "Anything can happen at any moment."

The uncertainty has penetrated even the most fundamental aspects of religious life. Um Joseph, 36, also from Bab Touma, made the painful decision to forego traditional Christmas decorations this year.

"This year, we will only pray in church or with the family," she explains. "All we wish for is peace and goodness to prevail in Syria at this pivotal time."

Recent events have only heightened these concerns. circulating on social media showed an armed man destroying a Christmas tree in front of the Greek Catholic Church of St. George in Aleppo's Sulaymaniyah area.

This was followed by a more serious incident at the Greek , where according to an official statement, an unnamed armed group attempted to break one of the crosses, opened fire at the building, and fled.

HTS has moved quickly to condemn these actions, attributing them to "unknown individuals" and emphasising that such acts undermine the group's promises of tolerance and inclusivity. The incidents have prompted increased dialogue between religious authorities and the new government.

and All the East has adopted a pragmatic approach to the new reality, maintaining ongoing meetings with the HTS-led interim government.

Their stated goal is to secure "societal peace for all components of the Syrian people in all regions" and to foster cooperation "with those in charge of the administration of the country for the good of the country and its people".

Between hope and fear

Syrian political analyst Muhammad Al-Mousawi offers a warning about the future.

"The armed factions controlling Syria are trying to present an ideal image of their model of governance," Syrian political analyst Muhammad Al-Mousawi tells °®Âþµº, offering a warning about the future.

"But they will soon show their true colours and express their extremist ideology which rejects the other, regardless of the margin of difference, whether sectarian, doctrinal, or even at the level of lifestyle and behaviour."

Al-Mousawi predicts that while Christians might receive preferential treatment for international optics, they will face indirect pressure to emigrate through restricted opportunities in work and public office.Ìý

"HTS will seek the West's favour by treating Christians positively on the outside, especially during the upcoming holiday season, because it is an opportunity to polish its image and a season for public relations," he argues.

However, Basil Qas Nasrallah, who served as an advisor to Syria's Mufti Badr al-Din Hassoun for fifteen years - an unprecedented position for a Christian - offers a more optimistic perspective.

While acknowledging that "words alone are not enough to erase years of fear, especially since the previous regime set itself up and convinced us that it was the protector of minorities," he finds HTS's reassurances credible.

Nasrallah, who recently received a supportive delegation from Aleppo's Sharia Council promising protection of Christmas celebrations, rejects the framing of Christians as a vulnerable minority.Ìý

"The word minorities is facetious to me. We are not minorities. Aleppo alone is home to 20,000 Christians," he asserts, emphasising that he sees no evidence of a systematic plot to displace Christians or other religious groups from Syria.

As Syria enters this new chapter, the fate of its Christian community remains uncertain. While HTS's promises of inclusivity and religious freedom offer hope, the shadow of past conflicts and ongoing incidents of violence leave many questioning whether these assurances will translate into lasting protection for religious minorities in post-Assad Syria.

Nasrallah believes that the coming months will likely prove crucial in determining whether the group can transform from a militant organisation into a governing body capable of protecting and preserving Syria's diverse religious heritage.

This article is published in collaboration with .