Christians in the Syrian provinces of Hama and Homs called a general strike, blocked roads, set fire to a security checkpoint, and marched to demand justice after two of their number were murdered and a third was injured by masked gunmen wearing the uniforms of the General Security Service, the national police force of the central government controlled by President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The attack occurred on Wednesday evening in the village of Anaz, located in a region of Homs known as Wadi al-Nasara, or the “Valley of Christians.” According to eyewitnesses, four masked men wearing government security uniforms rode up to the village mayor’s home and opened fire on a group of young men gathered outside, downing three victims with a hail of at least 30 bullets.
The gunshot victims were i