Syria: Orthodox priest narrowly escapes death during shooting in Christian village

Al-Suqaylabiyah, Hama Province, Syria, October 12, 2026

Photo: acninternational.org Photo: acninternational.org A bullet narrowly missed an Orthodox priest when gunmen opened fire on him and his vehicle in the Christian village of Al-Suqaylabiyah in western Syria. He escaped unharmed.

The shooting happened on the night of October 3, according to Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic charity, which described the violence in an October 8 report. The priest told ACN that shots were fired at him and his car. The charity withheld his name for security reasons.

Local sources told ACN the trouble started with an altercation between young people from Al-Suqaylabiyah and the neighboring village of Al-Qalaa, also known as Qalaat al-Madiq. The dispute then escalated when armed men from Al-Qalaa entered Al-Suqaylabiyah, fired at houses, and damaged property.

Fr. Fadi Sankari, the Greek Orthodox parish priest of Al-Suqaylabiyah, appealed for “security, justice and accountability, not vendettas,” according to ACN. He urged the Christian community not to be drawn into further violence.

“No one has the right to enter your homes or threaten your safety and dignity,” Fr. Fadi said. “Be brave yet wise, stand united but do not be drawn into violence. Spilled blood restores no homes and secures no future.”

It’s the second outbreak of violence in Al-Suqaylabiyah in just over six months. At the end of March, a group of men entered the village at night and attacked shops, businesses, and residents. Associated Press reporting described scores of men arriving on motorcycles from nearby Qalaat al-Madiq. Security forces were eventually called in and order was restored.

ACN continues to follow the situation closely through its local Church partners and has asked for prayers for peace and security in Syria.

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10/12/2026

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Church leaders have stated that St. Elias Church will continue to serve the Orthodox Christian community of Damascus as a place of prayer and worship. Memorial services are being held to mark the first anniversary of the attack. Antiochian Patriarchate mark 13 years since abduction of two Syrian bishops Antiochian Patriarchate mark 13 years since abduction of two Syrian bishops Antiochian Patriarchate mark 13 years since abduction of two Syrian bishops Antiochian Patriarchate mark 13 years since abduction of two Syrian bishops
In the statement, the Patriarchs describe the case as “one of the strangest cases, an affront to the very core of human dignity,” and say the abduction “has partly reflected the hideous humanitarian tragedy in the Levant.” Patriarch John of Antioch condemns attack on Christian community in Hama countryside Patriarch John of Antioch condemns attack on Christian community in Hama countryside Patriarch John of Antioch condemns attack on Christian community in Hama countryside Patriarch John of Antioch condemns attack on Christian community in Hama countryside
His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East has condemned an attack on the city of Al-Suqaylabiyah in the Hama countryside in which properties were vandalized and a shrine of the Most Holy Theotokos was fired upon.

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