An priest has narrowly escaped being shot after armed men reportedly opened fire during an outbreak of violence in a predominantly Christian village in western Syria. 

The incident took place on the night of 3 October in Al-Suqaylabiyah, following an altercation involving young people from the village and the neighbouring Muslim-majority village of Al-Qalaa, also known as Qalaat Al-Madiq. 

According to the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), local sources reported that the confrontation escalated when armed men from the neighbouring Sunni-majority village entered Al-Suqaylabiyah, firing shots at homes and damaging property. 

An Orthodox priest, whose identity is being withheld for security reasons, told ACN that gunmen also fired at him and his vehicle. He said a bullet narrowly missed him, but he managed to escape without injury. 

Following the violence, Fr Fadi Sankari, the Greek Orthodox parish priest in Al-Suqaylabiyah, appealed for calm and urged residents not to retaliate. 

In comments reported by ACN, he called for "security, justice and accountability, not vendettas". 

He also encouraged members of the Christian community to remain united while resisting any temptation to respond with further violence. 

"No one has the right to enter your homes or threaten your safety and dignity," he said. 

"Be brave yet wise, stand united but do not be drawn into violence. Spilled blood restores no homes and secures no future." 

The latest incident is reportedly the second outbreak of violence affecting Al-Suqaylabiyah in just over six months. At the end of March, a similar confrontation occurred when a group of men entered the village during the night and attacked shops, businesses and residents. Security forces were eventually deployed, restoring order.