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Syrian Islamists execute 35 Summarily Amid Security Sweeps

This handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on January 6, 2025, shows fighters affiliated with Syria's new administration taking men into custody in Syria's west-central city of Homs. (SANA / AFP)

By Minority Watch | January 27, 2025

In a grim development in post-Assad Syria, fighters loyal to the new Islamist-led government have executed 35 individuals, most of them former Assad-era officers, within a span of 72 hours, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Sunday. The wave of summary executions underscores mounting tensions and human rights abuses as the country struggles to stabilize after the fall of Bashar al Assad.

According to the Britain-based monitor, many of the executed individuals had voluntarily presented themselves to reconciliation centers established by the new authorities. Despite reassurances to uphold the rights of minorities, the Observatory noted widespread reprisals and atrocities, including “mass arbitrary arrests, attacks on religious symbols, mutilations of corpses, and brutal executions.”

 Arrests and Allegations

In a parallel development, the new regime reported the arrest of numerous individuals in the western Homs region. Syria’s official news agency, SANA, claimed that members of a “criminal group” were apprehended for allegedly posing as security personnel to exploit residents.

The Observatory, however, offered a grimmer perspective, asserting that the arrests were linked to escalating human rights violations targeting members of the Alawite minority, to which Assad belonged. “Dozens of armed groups aligned with the Sunni Islamist coalition in power took advantage of the chaos to settle old scores, resulting in egregious abuses,” the group stated.

The Civil Peace Group, a local civil society organization, also voiced alarm over civilian casualties during the recent security operations. “We condemn the unjustified violations, including the killing of unarmed men in villages across the Homs area,” the organization said in a statement.

 Minority Fears and Rising Tensions

Religious and ethnic minorities in Syria, already wary of the new leadership, have expressed growing concerns over their safety. The Alawite community, in particular, fears widespread retaliation for the decades of perceived oppression under Assad’s rule.

Despite assurances from the new Islamist coalition that minority rights would be respected, reports suggest a systematic targeting of vulnerable groups. The Observatory detailed incidents of “humiliations” inflicted upon members of religious minorities, further fueling fears of sectarian violence.

 Unprecedented Violence

The level of cruelty observed in these incidents marks a troubling chapter in Syria’s ongoing conflict, according to the Observatory. “The violence we are witnessing, including mutilations and attacks on civilians, reflects an unprecedented level of cruelty,” the monitor reported.

While the Islamist-led government has attempted to project an image of order and reconciliation, the realities on the ground tell a different story. A state of chaos, coupled with the proliferation of arms, has exacerbated tensions and led to abuses by groups tied to the new authorities.

Calls for Accountability

Rights organizations and international observers have called for immediate action to curb the spiraling violence. “The new authorities must demonstrate their commitment to justice and human rights,” said a spokesperson for the Civil Peace Group. “Targeting unarmed civilians and enabling retaliatory violence undermines the very foundation of peace and stability.”

As Syria faces a critical juncture in its post-conflict transition, the international community is watching closely. Whether the new leadership can rein in rogue factions and prevent further atrocities remains to be seen. For now, the specter of sectarian violence looms large over the war-torn nation, threatening to derail its fragile hopes for a peaceful future.

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