QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, John X of Antioch, met on Thursday with Syrian presidential media adviser Ahmed Mowaffaq Zeidan in Damascus to discuss recent developments in the country, with a focus on unrest in the city of Sqeilbiyah.
According to a statement issued by the Patriarchate and published on its official page, the meeting took place at the Patriarchal residence in the capital and included a general review of the current situation, alongside discussions on the incidents that recently affected Sqeilbiyah in the western countryside of Hama.
During the meeting, Patriarch John X stressed the need to firmly address any actions that threaten civil peace, warning against attempts to incite sectarian tensions. He underlined the importance of confronting any developments that could destabilize social cohesion, emphasizing that preserving national unity remains a priority amid ongoing challenges.
For his part, Ahmed Mowaffaq Zeidan expressed appreciation for the historical role of the Antiochian Church in promoting dialogue among Syria’s diverse communities. He highlighted its continued contribution to supporting coexistence and fostering communication among different religious and social groups.
The discussions come in the aftermath of tensions that erupted in Sqeilbiyah on March 27, following an altercation between several youths that escalated into broader clashes. The incidents involved acts of vandalism and damage to shops and public property.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, internal security forces intervened to contain the situation and restore calm, arresting six individuals while continuing to pursue others involved.
Available information indicates that the dispute initially began between two individuals from Sqeilbiyah and the town of Qalaat al-Madiq before expanding to include additional groups, leading to disturbances in several neighborhoods.
On the following day, a sit-in was held at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, where residents raised slogans رفضing sectarianism and calling for accountability for those responsible for the unrest, while stressing the need to maintain stability and civil peace.
The meeting between the Patriarch and the presidential adviser comes as part of ongoing efforts to address the repercussions of the events and to reinforce coordination between official and community actors to prevent their recurrence.
