Thousands of Syrians took to the streets in protest after a Christmas tree was set alight near the city of Hama.

A video circulating online shows hooded men setting fire to a tree in the main square of the central Christian town of Al-Suqaylabiyah.

Officials from Hayat Tahir al-Sham, the rebel group that now controls Syria, said the act was carried out by “foreign fighters”, and promised harsh punishment as well as restoration of the tree.

HTS is a former al-Qaeda affiliate, although it has long distanced itself from them. Since deposing Assad in a lighting offensive earlier this month, they have promised to respect minorities and build a new Syria for all Syrians.