AhlulBayt News Agency - Islamist fighters of the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front on Sunday bombed a Christian town in Syria’s central province of Hama, killing and wounding a number of civilians.
Local sources reported the death of at least four civilians and the injury of nine others in the town of Suqaylabiyah in Hama province.
Local activists said the attacks occurred as people of As-Suqaylabiyah gathered in large numbers to celebrate the Palm Sunday.
“Nusra fighters, backed by rebels of the Ahrar al-Sham, shelled Suqaylabiyah with at least 14 mortars on Sunday,” said media activist Abboud Sarkis in the embattled town.
“The offensive targeted residential neighborhoods in Suqaylabiyah, causing the death and injury of more than fifteen civilians,” the source reported.
A raw video was filmed featuring nearby explosions while prayers were celebrating at the Peter & Paul church in the city.
“Also, the bombardment has caused mass destruction in residential buildings, and rescue teams are still looking for victims under the rubble,” Sarkis added.
Extremist militants fighting for the Saudi-backed Ahrar Ash-Sham, and the Syrian al-Qaeda branch, Jabhet al-Nusra, control large swathes to the north, namely Qalaat al-Madiq, Kafr Nabudah and Kafr Zita.
As-Suqaylabiyah, located nearly 48 km to the northwest of Hama, is an ancient Aramaic city that served as a defense line for the historic city of Apamea (founded nearly 300 BC).
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