US EditionSectarian attacks rock a Christian town in Syria after a dispute
Scores of men from a nearby Sunni town attacked homes and shops after a dispute, with hundreds protesting for accountability amid ongoing sectarian tensions since Assad's fall.
- On Saturday, scores of men from the Sunni town of Qalaat al-Madiq stormed Suqaylabiyah, a Christian town, attacking homes and shops following an argument between two residents. Government forces brought in reinforcements to restore order.
- The assault highlights rising sectarian tensions following the fall of Bashar Assad two years ago, when Islamist rulers began overseeing widespread violence against Christians, Alawites, and Druze minorities since December 2024.
- Resident Liyan Dweir said his clothes shop was riddled with bullets and suffered heavy damage. "We passed through a state of terror, fear, and panic," Dweir said of the hourslong assault.
- Hundreds of residents marched through Suqaylabiyah on Saturday, declaring a strike to demand accountability for the attack. Skepticism remains about the interim government's ability to control armed groups and protect minority areas.
- The attack underscores vulnerability among Syria's Christian minority, who comprised about 10% of the prewar population of 23 million. Historical divisions—Suqaylabiyah held by Assad loyalists while Qalaat al-Madiq was held by insurgents during the 54-year rule—continue fueling sectarian distrust.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Jerusalem Post
Conservative AngleProtests erupt in Syrian Christian city Al-Suqaylabiyah, demand security accountability
The protests came amid heightened security tensions following an altercation that quickly escalated into a state of mobilization and limited gatherings.
Suqaylabiyah is not just any Syrian provincial city, but one of the most traditional Christian places in the Hama district. The village dates back to its proximity to the ancient Seleucid town of Seleucia ad Belum, the modern city was built in the 19th century and was characterized by Greek Orthodox Christians who settled there permanently. To this day, Suqaylabiyah is considered the majority Greek Orthodox city and thus the visible remnant of t…
An argument between two men in a Christian town in central Syria led to clashes between religious groups in which houses, shops and cars were damaged.
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