Displaying items by tag: Suqaylabiyah

Sectarian violence erupted on 28 March in Suqaylabiyah, a predominantly Christian town in Syria, following tensions involving two Muslim young men from the nearby town of Qalaat al-Madiq. Reports indicate that they started to harass Christian women; when Christian men attacked them in response, they went back to their town, returned with dozens of other men, and carried out coordinated attacks on homes, shops, and vehicles, while firing weapons and damaging a shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Some sources alleged the involvement of national security personnel. Government forces were deployed to restore order, preventing further incursions despite continued attempts by surrounding groups. In response, leaders from several Christian traditions condemned the violence and cancelled public Easter celebrations, reflecting deep concern over safety. CSW’s founder president Mervyn Thomas has called on the Syrian authorities to increase their efforts to combat extremism and hate speech, and hold accountable all those involved in this attack.