The head of the Antiochian Orthodox Church has called on Syrian authorities to take immediate action to protect civilians following violent unrest in the predominantly Christian town of Suqaylabiyah in Hama province.

The Church strongly condemned the attack, which reportedly began as a personal dispute between two men but quickly escalated into widespread violence. According to reports cited by the Associated Press, armed groups from a neighboring area entered the town overnight, vandalizing shops, firing at buildings, breaking into homes, and damaging vehicles.

While no fatalities have been confirmed, the material damage is said to be significant. Residents described scenes of fear and chaos as the violence unfolded. “We lived through hours of terror and خوف,” said the owner of one of the affected shops, noting that a private conflict had spiraled into broader clashes between communities.

Government forces were later deployed to stabilize the situation. On Saturday, hundreds of Suqaylabiyah residents took to the streets, demanding accountability for those responsible.

In an official statement shared on social media, the Antiochian Orthodox Church denounced the incident as part of a troubling pattern of pressure on the country’s Christian population. Patriarch John X stressed the urgency of decisive action, declaring that it is “time to move from words to deeds” and calling for an end to bloodshed in Syria.

The Church also called for a transparent investigation, punishment of those responsible, compensation for victims, and stricter control over weapons. It warned against dismissing such incidents as isolated cases, arguing instead that they reflect a systemic issue threatening civil peace in the country.