Al-Suqaylabiyah unrest in western Hama overshadows Christian holidays, churches cancel public celebrations

Major church authorities and patriarchates in Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces have announced the cancellation of outdoor festivities accompanying Palm Sunday and Easter for 2026, limiting celebrations to church premises.

The churches described the move as an explicit security precaution following the recent armed tensions in the city of al-Suqaylabiyah (western Hama countryside, central Syria).

The collective decision was issued through separate official statements on March 28 by the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East in Damascus, the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Damascus, and the Archdiocese of Latakia and Tartus and their affiliated areas, including Safita and Wadi al-Nasara.

Clear security concerns

The church statements agreed that the cancellation of celebrations, official greetings, and scout parades came in response to the “current discouraging conditions” and the “unfortunate events” that recently took place.

In its circular, the Syriac Catholic Archdiocese of Damascus stressed that the step was taken “for the safety and security of the faithful of the archdiocese,” in a clear sign of concern over the security instability seen in central Syria.

The Archdiocese of Latakia and Tartus said in its directive issued from Safita that the area no longer enjoys a “favorable atmosphere” for celebrating the holidays in the festive way seen in previous years.

It also confirmed a ban on scout bands, youth processions, and carrying flags in the streets, while urging believers to confine celebrations to spiritual joy and prayers for the “well-being of the congregation and living in peace and reassurance.”

Tension and protests in al-Suqaylabiyah

The church alert comes as a direct response to armed clashes that recently erupted in al-Suqaylabiyah, in western Hama countryside, between local armed groups. The fighting caused injuries, panic among civilians, and the closure of shops, before army and police units intervened to end the dispute and impose a temporary curfew to contain the situation.

Following the de-escalation, angry protests took place in al-Suqaylabiyah, with residents expressing outright rejection of weapons chaos and the repeated armed confrontations that terrify civilians and affect their safety and livelihoods.

The protesters’ demands focused on controlling “unregulated weapons,” placing security authority exclusively in the hands of official institutions, and holding those involved in the recent clashes accountable.

The protests were also linked to a state of partial paralysis in the city’s commercial activity, as business owners shut their shops in solidarity with public demands and out of fear that armed clashes could flare up again, threatening civil peace.

Protesters said the continued presence of auxiliary groups and the overlap in their powers contribute to fueling local conflicts, making it impossible to move forward with any social or festive rituals.

Official containment efforts

For his part, Hama’s Internal Security Commander, Brigadier General Mulhim Shantout, said that following the incident in al-Suqaylabiyah a day earlier, internal security forces held a meeting with a number of bishops and notables from the al-Ghab area to coordinate efforts to contain the tension and deal with the fallout.

According to the state-run SANA news agency, these efforts resulted in a consensual settlement based on reconciliation, under which a number of detainees who were not proven to have been directly involved in the incident were released, in a bid to reinforce social stability and preserve civil peace.

The main person responsible for the incident remains in custody, Brigadier General Shantout said, adding that the relevant authorities are continuing investigations in accordance with legal procedures ahead of taking the necessary measures.

He also stressed that the case will continue to be pursued seriously and that every effort will be made to ensure justice and maintain security and stability in the area.

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