Suqaylabiyah, Syria — Argument between two men in a Christian city in the middle Syria Communal attacks caused widespread damage to homes, shops and cars, reminiscent of the religious violence that followed the fall. Bashar Assad was a leader for a long time Two years ago.
The attacks in the predominantly Christian city of Suqaylabiyah in Hama province are the latest to target members of Syria’s Christian minority. many of whom have left Half a million people have been killed in the country since the conflict began 15 years ago and the population is deeply divided.
There was no immediate information on casualties in the attacks that continued into the early hours of Saturday, during which several men on motorcycles from the nearby Sunni town of Qalat al-Madiq attacked Christian property.
“We went through a state of panic, fear and panic,” said Lianne Dwyer, whose clothing store was hit by bullets and heavily damaged. Their children were left terrified during the hours-long attack, they said.
Dwer said that an argument between a resident of Suqaylabiya and another resident of Qalat al-Madiq led many people from the Sunni town to storm the area and attack shops, houses and cars.
“It is unfair that two towns clashed over an argument,” he said.
Another Suqaylabiyah resident, Nafeh al-Nader, said the youths broke the gate of his house and kicked the diesel heater, causing the room to catch fire. They tried to set fire to another room but failed as a neighbor ran for help and one of the attackers attacked him with a stick.
Government forces deployed additional security forces to Suqailbiyah, quelling the violence. On Saturday, hundreds of residents marched in the streets demanding accountability and declared a strike until the perpetrators are brought to justice.
Since the fall of Assad in December 2024, members of the country Alawite, Druze And Christian minorities have come under attack by gunmen loyal to the country’s new Islamic rulers. Hundreds of people have been killed, including Alawites in the Syrian coastal region in March last year and Druze in the southern province of Sweden in July.
The government of Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has condemned attacks on minorities, but many have accused it of looking the other way or being unable to control the armed groups it is trying to contain.
During the Syrian conflict that began in 2011, Suqaylbiyah was held by forces loyal to Assad, while Qalat al-Madiq was held by rebel groups who ultimately overthrew the Assad family’s 54-year rule.
Anger is rising among many Syrians after the country’s authorities banned alcohol consumption in the capital, Damascus. The ban affects Christian neighborhoods of Damascus that are famous for their restaurants and pubs.
Christians accounted for about 10% of Syria’s pre-war population of 23 million. They enjoyed freedom of worship under the Assad government and some high government positions. Initially, many Christians were willing to give the new authorities a chance but the situation worsened after a suicide in June. bombing inside a church 25 people were killed and dozens were injured outside Damascus.
