Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s new leader and head of HTS, has met senior Christian leaders in Damascus to reassure minorities about their safety under his administration. The meeting follows protests over attacks on Christian and Alawite symbols. French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasised the need for an inclusive political transition in Syria that safeguards diverse communities' rights. Al-Sharaa has also held talks with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), proposing their integration into the national army. Despite attempts to stabilise the country after Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow in December, incidents of violence and unrest persist. The SDF, backed by the USA, remains locked in conflict with Turkish-backed factions, while Turkiye alleges SDF ties to the PKK, a group it deems terrorist. Syria’s Christian population, once about one million, has dwindled to 300,000 since the civil war began in 2011, highlighting the challenges minorities face amid ongoing instability.