An Orthodox priest was attacked in the Syrian province of Hama

An armed attack was carried out against a local Orthodox priest in the Christian village of Al-Sukaylabiyah, located in the Syrian province of Hama. According to information published on the OrthoChristian website, the incident occurred on the night of October 3, when unidentified assailants opened fire on the priest’s car. The priest miraculously escaped unharmed; his name is being withheld for security reasons.

According to a report by the charity “Aid to the Church in Need,” the conflict began following a minor altercation between young people from Al-Sukaylabiyah and the neighboring village of Al-Kalaa. The situation quickly escalated into armed aggression: a group of armed men from the neighboring village entered Al-Sukaylabiya, where they began firing at residential homes and vandalizing the property of local residents.

The head of the local Greek Orthodox parish, Father Fadi Sankari, called on the Christian community to remain calm and not to give in to provocations. “No one has the right to enter your homes or threaten your safety and dignity,” the priest emphasized, calling for “security, justice, and accountability” rather than blood feuds. He noted that bloodshed will not restore peace or secure the future.

It is worth noting that this is already the second such incident in Al-Sukaylabiyah in the past six months. In late March of this year, armed men on motorcycles raided shops and the homes of local residents, after which law enforcement had to intervene to restore order. International observers continue to monitor developments and are calling for prayers for peace in the region.