Syria’s Christians shocked after attack on Christian town Suqaylabiyah just before Palm Sunday
Syria’s Christian community is reeling after a large-scale attack following a dispute with men from a neighboring town, which left dozens of homes and shops damaged in the Christian town of al-Suqaylabiyah, in Hama’s western countryside.
The pogrom-like attack is the latest in a series targeting the country’s minorities, including Kurds, Druze and Alawites, but was one of the largest targeting Christians so far.
The Syrian Civil War has reduced the Christian population from around 2 million – approximately 10% of the country – to just several hundred thousand.
#Syria: a literal mob went through Suqaylbiyah tonight (N. #Hama), attacking shops and houses.
— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) March 27, 2026
This is an unprecedented attack in this Christian town. https://t.co/uH9Xf7rmqd pic.twitter.com/aGUZZrsJ1g
The situation in Syria has been relatively calm since the government of former terror leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa (Abu Muhammad al-Jolani) toppled the Assad regime and ended the civil war just over a year ago.
However, regime troops have been accused of participating in sectarian violence, some of which began as small-scale disputes and mutual attacks that escalated into massacres against minorities with Islamist overtones.
The attack in Suqaylabiyah also reportedly started with a local dispute between two men, with one party apparently calling for backup from the nearby, majority-Sunni Muslim town of Qalaat al-Madiq.
The Media Line reported that the incident began when young men from Suqaylabiyah assaulted and injured a member of the government’s General Security force, who is from Qalaat al-Madiq.
Footage later showed dozens of men on motorcycles as they drove south to Suqaylabiyah, before roaming through the town to shoot at, torch, and destroy homes, shops, and other property, while reportedly assaulting people trying to stop them.
SYRIA: A group of young Muslims entered the Christian town of Al-Suqaylabiyah in Hama and tried to rape Christian girls. Brave Christian men fought them and kicked them out.
— Dr. Maalouf (@realMaalouf) March 27, 2026
They later returned with a government-backed mob, looted homes and properties, opened fire, and arrested… pic.twitter.com/PmEaud8vBI
A local resident, Liyan Dweir, told the Associated Press, “We passed through a state of terror, fear, and panic,” adding that his clothes shop was shot up and heavily damaged in the hours-long assault.
Another resident, Nafeh al-Nader, said men from Qalaat al-Madiq broke into his home and set fire to one room before he and a neighbor were able to fight them off.
The attacks continued early into Saturday but were reportedly stopped by government troops that were called to reinforce the town. Several suspects allegedly involved in the incident were arrested.
On Saturday, hundreds of residents held a protest march to demand accountability from the government, demanding the removal of weapons from the city, compensation for those who suffered from the attacks, and a transparent investigation.
According to Media Line, they also chanted slogans against sectarian violence and affirmed their commitment to national unity.
#Syria: multiple meetings took place over the past hours with local authorities in an effort to defuse tensions following the unprecedented mob attacks in Suqaylbiyah (N. #Hama) last night.
— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) March 28, 2026
Residents are also protesting and calling for accountability.
Security has also been… https://t.co/DmdS7jj75c pic.twitter.com/sfHZJtK4zU
Local authorities and community leaders held several meetings over the weekend to address the situation, with officials announcing a new committee to assess the damage and hold those responsible to account.
The attack was condemned by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, and later in a joint statement by three Syrian patriarchs representing the Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, and Melkite Greek Catholic churches.
They said their meeting paid “particular attention to the events in Al-Suqaylabiyah in the Hama countryside, the broader national Syrian context, and the situation of Christians across the country.”
#Syria: Palm Sunday Mass today in #Masyaf countryside (W. #Hama).
— Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) March 29, 2026
The Interior Ministry deployed significant resources, including K9 units, to secure Churches for this feast. pic.twitter.com/PYZ4dq5yIu
In recent weeks, Christians in Syria had expressed their outrage over a new law banning the consumption of alcohol in the capital of Damascus, disproportionately targeting the ancient Christian neighborhoods famous for their restaurants and pubs.
The patriarchs said they spoke about the “challenges facing Syria that threaten the country's shared coexistence” with “deep concern.”
On Sunday, Syrian Brig.-Gen. Maleh Al-Shantout, head of Internal Security in Hama Province, said his forces met with several bishops and Christian leaders to discuss the incident, agreeing to release some of the arrested suspects “whose direct involvement in the incident was not proven… to enhance community stability and preserve civil peace.”
So I would ask again the international Christian leadership: who is the greatest danger to Christians in the Middle East?
— Sharren Haskel השכל שרן (@SharrenHaskel) March 28, 2026
Who will come to save them from a real genocide?
May God protect them. https://t.co/EINqLhfwwr
However, the main suspect is still in custody, he added, vowing to continue investigating “with all seriousness and the exertion of utmost efforts.”
Against the backdrop of anti-Israel activists claiming the Israeli government is targeting local Christians, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel commented on the incident in Syria, asking, “So I would ask again the international Christian leadership: who is the greatest danger to Christians in the Middle East?”
“Who will come to save them from a real genocide? May God protect them.”
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
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