Christians living in the town of Sukaylabiyah in the Hama countryside of Syria were attacked on the evening of Friday, March 27.
A Christian living in Sukaylabiyah who did not want to be named for security reasons provided the following information regarding the incident to SyriacPress: “The incident began when two individuals arriving on motorcycles from the settlement named Qalaat al-Madiq harassed Christian women on Al-Meshwar Street in the city. This situation led to a clash between the attackers and local youth. It was stated that one of the attackers threatened those around him by showing a hand grenade and then fled the scene. The attackers, who later returned accompanied by security patrols, pointed out the youth, leading to the detention of several young men.
Afterwards, an unidentified large armed group entered the city and opened fire, threatened the public with death, attacked shops and passing vehicles, and forced shopkeepers to close their businesses. Some members of the group attempted to enter homes. According to witnesses, all of these events took place right before the eyes of the security forces. The security forces did not make any intervention to stop the incidents or arrest the attackers.
Four youth detained
By midnight, security forces had still not brought the situation under control and had not closed the roads leading to Sukaylabiyah. Order could only be partially restored with the arrival of reinforcements from surrounding areas, especially the Karnaz and Hemto countryside. However, instead of the attackers, security forces detained four youth from Sukaylabiyah. Between approximately 1:00 AM and 3:30 AM, the townspeople held a sit-in, and as a result of this action, the four detained individuals were released.
Another source speaking to SyriacPress stated that reports of a reconciliation being achieved between Sukaylabiyah and Qalaat al-Madiq are not true. The same source stated that to show their anger and dissatisfaction, the townspeople declared a three-day general strike and that shops would be kept closed. The source also emphasized that many people were severely injured as a result of the attack and that this was not an isolated incident. It was stated that similar incidents have occurred in Sukaylabiyah over the past 10 days, and that these attacks came not only from Qalaat al-Madiq but also from other surrounding areas.
It was also shared that attacks targeting some businesses and the townspeople are continuing, though no loss of life has occurred in the attacks.
Attack protested
On Saturday, March 28, the residents of the predominantly Christian town protested the attack. To express the public anger felt against the silence of the church in the face of systematized attacks targeting Christians in Syria and to reject the reconciliation reports, the crowd carried banners and shouted slogans such as "No to a single-colored army," "We demand that the security forces involved in the incident be held accountable and demand compensation for property damage," and "No to the desecration of holy places." The crowd later held a march.
Patriarchs held a meeting
Patriarchs in Syria:
— Mor Aphrem II (@MorAphremII) March 29, 2026
“We condemn what occurred in Al-Suqaylibiyah and pray for peace and stability in Syria”
Damascus, March 29, 2026
His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Greek Orthodox Church;
His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of… pic.twitter.com/WFRTGzZnbr
Reactions to the attack came from non-governmental organizations, political parties, and many sectors. Christian patriarchs in Syria also held a meeting regarding the matter and published a written statement on their X account. The following statements were used in the announcement: “Patriarch John X of the Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East, Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East, and Patriarch Youssef Absi of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church of Antioch and All the East gathered at the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Damascus.
The meeting was dedicated to reviewing recent developments. In particular, the incidents in the city of Sukaylabiyah in the Hama countryside, the situation in Syria in general, and the situation of Christians in particular were addressed. The Patriarchs addressed the challenges facing Syria with deep concern and a strong sense of responsibility. They stated that these challenges threaten coexistence between Muslim and Christian citizens in the country. They emphasized the importance of preventing the spread of uncontrolled weapons to protect security and stability and to guarantee the dignity of all citizens without exception. They stated that this must be carried out on the basis of principles of citizenship, equality in rights and duties, and respect for both individual and public freedoms.
On the occasion of the upcoming religious holidays, the Patriarchs conveyed their blessings and congratulations to their communities; they instructed that celebrations be limited only to prayers held in churches. The Patriarchs also prayed for peace for Syria, Lebanon, and the whole world.”
Statement from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs
According to news from the Hibya News Agency, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that they are following the developments in the city of Sukaylabiyah, where predominantly Greek Orthodox live in Syria, with concern. In its statement, the ministry drew attention to the investigation launched by the Syrian government regarding the incidents occurring in the city and demanded that the process be rapidly implemented.
Greece reiterated its call for a peaceful and inclusive transition process in which the rights of all Syrians will be protected without regard to religious or ethnic origin. The statement also emphasized that Christians are a historical and inseparable part of Syrian society. Stating that they are ready to support Syria's recovery process, Greece expressed that they will await the investigation results.
"Reflects an alarming escalation in the approach to violence"
In the statement made by the Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP) in Lebanon, it was stated that the attacks “reflect an alarming escalation in the approach to violence targeting Christians and all minorities in Syria, bearing traces of an exclusionary ideology similar to ISIS.” Emphasizing that what happened “cannot be considered separately from the chain of repeated attacks against regions with a distinct Christian identity,” USUP drew attention to the “clear absence of accountability.”
The statement also criticized impunity for the attackers, stating that the continuation of these violations without a real deterrent “poses the risk of a dangerous drift into sectarian conflict and threatens the remainder of Syria's social fabric based on pluralism and coexistence.” USUP called for urgent and effective protection under international supervision for Christians and all minorities in Syria. The party also demanded that transparent and independent investigations be conducted regarding the incidents in Sukaylabiyah and other attacks, and emphasized that everyone involved in the incident must be held accountable.
The party called on the Syrian authorities to assume their responsibilities to protect citizens and to end all kinds of negligence or possible cooperation. Finally, USUP stated, “The silence of the international community is no longer acceptable; the failure to take real steps means indirect complicity in these crimes.”
