A violent attack rocked the northern Syrian town of Sarmada on Friday when a group of armed, masked assailants stormed a local wedding hall just hours before a planned concert and political celebration.
The venue, known as Mazaj Hall, was scheduled to host a major event commemorating the downfall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime — an event seen by many Syrians as a symbolic victory for the opposition. The performance was set to feature Mohammed Al-Sheikh, a popular Syrian singer who had recently returned from exile in Turkey.
Local reports, including those from independent outlet Enab Baladi, indicate that the attack was carried out by individuals believed to be affiliated with hardline Islamist groups operating in the area. The attackers damaged sound equipment, hurled insults at staff, and opened fire inside the venue before fleeing the scene.
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Khaled Othman, the manager of Mazaj Hall, told Enab Baladi that the booking was made just a day prior to the incident. “We were setting up when they barged in, armed and masked. They destroyed nearly everything. We still don’t know the exact reason behind the attack,” he said. The estimated damage is reported to be around $10,000.
Security personnel from Idlib’s local administration responded promptly and conducted several arrests near the site. However, the identities and affiliations of the attackers have not yet been officially confirmed.
Online footage shared shortly after the incident shows the assailants shouting religious slogans while smashing musical instruments and sound systems — scenes reminiscent of previous actions by extremist factions in the area, particularly during the reign of the former Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-dominated administration.
Though no group has claimed responsibility, analysts point to the attack’s targets — music, mixed-gender gatherings, and secular commemorations — as consistent with the ideology of ultra-conservative elements who oppose any cultural expression perceived as “un-Islamic,” regardless of its anti-Assad sentiment.
Mohammed Al-Sheikh, the artist slated to perform, has become a prominent cultural figure in post-Assad northern Syria, using music to unite communities. The event had been promoted for weeks but was abruptly canceled following the attack.
This is not the first time such violence has erupted in Idlib over social and cultural events. In late 2023, a separate celebration at Al-Hamra Mall faced gunfire after being denounced by religious hardliners for encouraging “immorality.
These confrontations highlight a deeper ideological rift between conservative factions and segments of the local population seeking freedom of expression in the region.
The so-called Public Morality Laws, introduced in 2023 by the now-defunct Salvation Government led by current Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, were initially used to regulate public behavior but have since become a source of contention. Amid public outcry, Sharaa dismantled the morality enforcement agencies in early 2024 — a move that has angered extremist elements.
As Idlib continues to navigate life after Assad, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle between civil freedoms and radical interpretations of governance.