Syrian Church leaders speak out after attacks on Christian property

Syrian Church leaders have called for greater efforts to preserve peace and stability after attacks on homes, shops and cars in a predominantly Christian town.

The Associated Press (AP) reports that sectarian violence broke out in Al-Suqaylabiyah in Hama province after an argument between two men. 

The incident happened within the early hours of Saturday morning, with scores of men on motorcycles coming from the nearby Sunni town of Qalaat al-Madiq and attacking the property of Christians, AP reports.

Liyan Dweir’s clothes shop was shot at in the course of the attacks. He told AP that the attacks had created “a state of terror, fear, and panic”. 

The violence was eventually quelled by government forces, but lots of of Christians marched through Al-Suqaylabiyah on Saturday demanding justice and security.

Syrian Patriarchs, His Holiness Mor Aphrem II and His Beatitude John X, condemned the violence in Al-Suqaylabiyah and said they were praying for peace and stability. They called for the dignity of all residents to be respected.

Their comments followed a gathering in Damascus to debate the state of Christians in Syria. The Church leaders said the meeting had addressed “with deep concern and a powerful sense of responsibility, the challenges facing Syria – challenges that threaten the coexistence of its Muslim and Christian residents”.

They called for greater efforts to curb “the proliferation of uncontrolled weapons, to preserve security and stability, and to safeguard the dignity of all residents without exception”.

This, they said, “have to be grounded within the principles of citizenship, equality in rights and duties, and respect for each personal and public freedoms.”

As Christians prepare to mark Easter, the Patriarchs have “directed that celebrations be limited to prayers held inside churches”. 

The violence has led to renewed questions on the federal government’s ability to implement law and order in Syria because the fall of Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

While the federal government asserted tolerance for religious minorities, Christians have been living in fear since a suicide bomb attack last 12 months on the Mar Elyas Greek Orthodox Church by which over 20 Christians were killed.

Last month Christian teacher Iman Jarrous, 47, was shot dead in Homs. Local Christians said she can have been mistaken for an Alawite.