Rebuilding Security in New Syria: Weeks 42-43

Tracking the spread of new security forces and security incidents in post-Assad Syria from September 22 to October 5

Announcements of security deployments mostly in western Syria, with an emphasis on the minority regions. This weekly update is intended to provide base level data for more holistic research into the rebuilding of the security and governance structures of post-Assad Syria. Direct links to primary sources are provided throughout.

• Aleppo

• Damascus

• Coast

• Homs

• Hama

The past two weeks have seen a surge in violence across central and western Syria, as well as sustained counter-narcotics, anti-smuggling, and arrest operations by government forces. Vigilantism drove much of the new violence, including both assassinations of ex-regime members in Aleppo, Damascus, and Homs, but also inter-communal violence driven by more recent disputes. Meanwhile, several murders occurred in rural Latakia, the first in many weeks.

Pro-Assad insurgent activity also continues to grow, with several attacks against security forces in Hama and Latakia, but also at least two cases of assassination attempts (one successful) against Alawi candidates for the new People’s Assembly. Government forces conducted several raids for the first time in a while targeted regime cells in the coast.