Christians in central Syria faced a tense Easter weekend after their town was targeted by armed Muslim men, with residents watching in horror as church property, homes, shops, a café, and cars were damaged, residents said.
The violence erupted in the predominantly Christian town of Suqaylabiyah in Hama province ahead of Palm Sunday, in what locals described as the latest attack against Syria’s Christian minority.
“I write to you from the town of ancient Seleucia, known today as Suqaylabiyah,” said a resident identified as George M.
“Today, in 2026, our streets are once again filled with the smell of blood—echoes of the suffering our grandparents endured. History is repeating itself before our eyes,” he added in remarks monitored by Worthy News.
There was confusion about what sparked the violence.
Young Muslim Men
Some residents said unrest began after two young Muslim men allegedly harassed a Christian girl but were stopped by local Christian men. Others said the clashes followed a dispute between two Muslim individuals which quickly escalated into wider sectarian violence. It was not immediately clear whether these accounts referred to the same incident.
Soon after, witnesses said, scores of men, some arriving on motorcycles from nearby Sunni-Muslim majority areas, stormed the town, targeting Christian-owned property.
A video obtained by Worthy News appeared to show an elderly Christian shop owner sitting helplessly as masked gunmen looted and destroyed his store, smashing bottles and goods.
Gunfire In Streets
Elsewhere, residents reported gunfire, looting, and the destruction of religious symbols.
“We passed through a state of terror, fear, and panic,” said one shop owner whose business was heavily damaged. Video footage seen by Worthy News also showed a Christian-owned cafe being destroyed, with furious men smashing bottles, furniture, and a flat-screen television.
There were no immediate confirmed reports of casualties, though the attacks reportedly lasted for hours into the night. Reports of abductions could not be confirmed.
Government forces later deployed reinforcements, restoring a fragile calm. However, anger remained high among residents. Christians and their supporters took to the streets demanding accountability, compensation, and protection, while some called for a strike until those responsible are punished, Worthy News learned through video footage.
Scaling Back Easter
Church leaders reportedly reacted by scaling back Easter celebrations, limiting observances to prayers inside churches due to security concerns.
The attack comes amid growing concerns over the safety of minorities since the fall of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in 2024. Members of Christian, Druze, and Alawite communities have reported increasing violence from armed groups in parts of the country. Syria’s interim authorities have condemned attacks on minorities, but critics say they are either unable or unwilling to fully control militant factions.
Christians once made up about 10 percent of Syria’s population of roughly 23 million before the civil war that began in 2011. Since then, hundreds of thousands have fled amid violence that has killed an estimated half a million people and displaced millions more.
High On Persecution Ranking
Today, one of the world’s oldest Christian communities faces an uncertain future. According to the Open Doors World Watch List, Syria ranks 12th among countries where Christians face the most severe persecution. Advocacy groups warn that ongoing instability and rising Islamist influence continue to endanger Christian communities.
In his appeal, the Suqaylabiyah resident urged the international community not to ignore their plight.
“There was a time when the world did not see what was happening to us. But today, there is no excuse. You can see it with your own eyes,” George M. wrote on social media platform X. “We ask you: do not abandon us.”
