Second attack in six months on a Christian town in Syria
Armed men from the neighboring town fired on homes in Al-Suqaylabiyah, and police arrested the attackers along with two Christians.
On the night of October 3, armed men from Al-Qalaa fired on several homes in Al-Suqaylabiyah, a Christian town in Syria, according to International Christian Concern. It is the second attack on that community in six months.
Al-Suqaylabiyah lives alongside Al-Qalaa (Qalaat al-Madiq), a majority-Muslim town. Before Easter, tension had already erupted between the two towns. The community is now asking for security, justice and accountability, according to a message a local priest posted on Facebook.
A night of gunfire and arrests
The trigger was an act of intimidation. Some young men from Al-Qalaa went to harass a shop owner; other young men from the town rushed to defend him and forced them to leave. They came back at night, armed and in greater numbers, and opened fire on the homes.
«Praying for someone who shoots at your home costs more than any slogan»
One of the shots was aimed at the vehicle of an Orthodox priest in the town, who was unharmed. Police arrived and arrested several attackers, but also two Christian men, who were released two days later. The organization reported that no one was killed.
According to International Christian Concern, when this attack happened, residents were still trying to recover from the previous one.
What the local church says
Father Fadi Sankari, a Greek Orthodox priest in Al-Suqaylabiyah, wrote that no one has the right to enter other people's homes or to endanger anyone's safety and dignity. He told his neighbors: "The Lord is with us, and we will not abandon one another" (translation by Sígueme).
Before Easter, the community had stopped a group that was harassing a young woman. The response was a mob with sticks and knives that attacked businesses and people.
A witness said that a neighboring merchant was left alone when he shouted that he was Sunni, and that the attackers went on to the rest of the properties.
A resident said they hope this will be the last time, although the facts show that each attack surpasses the one before. While they wait for calm, the town is preparing for more violence.
Justice, and a hard prayer
Mervyn Thomas, founder and president of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, condemned the sectarian violence and urged authorities to put the protection of vulnerable communities first. He also urged the international community to pressure the Syrian government to confront extremism, hate speech and religious incitement.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1, ESV). That psalm was written for nights like October 3.
Praying for someone who shoots at your home costs more than any slogan. Jesus called us to pray for those who persecute us (see Matthew 5:44). Al-Suqaylabiyah doesn't show up in your daily news, and yet it shares the same faith that is sung in your church on Sunday.
This week you can pray for Father Fadi Sankari, for the families who heard gunshots, and for the young men preparing for another night. And you, who is it hard for you to pray for today?
