Muslim-Christian clashes break out in Syrian town after argument between two men

SUQAYLABIYAH, Syria — An argument between two men in a Christian town in central Syria led to sectarian attacks that caused widespread damage to homes, shops, and cars in a reminder of religious violence that followed the fall of longtime leader Bashar Assad two years ago.

The attacks in the predominantly Christian town of Suqaylabiyah in Hama province are the latest to target members of Syria’s Christian minority, many of whom have left the country since the conflict began 15 years ago, leaving half a million people dead and the population deeply divided.

There is no immediate word on casualties in the attacks that lasted until early hours today, during which scores of men on motorcycles from the nearby Sunni town of Qalaat al-Madiq attacked the property of Christians.