An argument between two men in the predominantly Christian town of Suqaylabiyah in central Syria escalated into sectarian attacks that caused widespread damage to homes, shops and cars, local residents said. The violence, which lasted until the early hours of Saturday, saw scores of men on motorcycles from the nearby Sunni town of Qalaat al-Madiq target Christian-owned property.
Residents described scenes of terror. Liyan Dweir, whose clothes shop was riddled with bullets and heavily damaged, said his children were terrified during the hours-long assault. “We passed through a state of terror, fear, and panic,” he said. Another resident, Nafeh al-Nader, said attackers broke his gate, kicked a diesel heater, and set a room on fire. A neighbour who tried to help was hit with a stick.
Government forces brought in reinforcements to Suqaylabiyah, calming the violence. On Saturday, hundreds of residents marched demanding accountability and declaring a strike until the perpetrators are punished. The attacks are the latest to target Syria’s Christian minority, many of whom have left the country since the conflict began 15 years ago.
Since the fall of Bashar Assad in December 2024, members of Alawite, Druze and Christian minorities have faced attacks by gunmen loyal to the new Islamist rulers. Hundreds have been killed, including Alawites in March and Druze in July. Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has condemned the attacks, but many accuse his government of looking the other way or being unable to control armed groups.
During Syria’s conflict, Suqaylabiyah was held by Assad loyalists while Qalaat al-Madiq was held by insurgents who eventually overthrew the Assad family’s 54-year rule. Anger has also risen after authorities banned alcohol in Damascus, affecting Christian neighbourhoods. Christians, who made up about 10% of Syria’s prewar population, initially gave the new authorities a chance, but the situation worsened after a June suicide bombing at a church near Damascus killed 25 people.
