Young man from Mhardeh killed in armed attack in rural Hama

A young man from the city of Mhardeh in the Hama countryside was killed in an armed attack carried out by gunmen from the neighboring town of Halfaya.

Young man from Mhardeh killed in armed attack in rural Hama
1 February, 2026   18:34
NEWS DESK

The young man, Elie Najjar Taqla (21 years old), a goldsmith from the city of Mhardeh in the Hama countryside, was killed in an armed attack carried out by masked assailants from the neighboring town of Halfaya.

A circulating video clip shows the moment Taqla was shot while inside his car, after being intercepted by masked gunmen who used weapons equipped with silencers.

According to available information, the attackers attempted to steal a bag containing gold jewelry, but failed to seize it before fleeing the scene.

The crime has sparked shock and anger among residents of Mhardeh, a predominantly Christian city, amid repeated incidents of targeting and attacks carried out by gunmen from neighboring villages and towns, particularly Halfaya, which is the hometown of the interim government’s Minister of Defense, Murhaf Abu Qasra.

ANHA