Rebuilding Security in New Syria: Week 48

Tracking the spread of new security forces and security incidents in post-Assad Syria from November 3 to November 9

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 and Idlib

• Damascus

• Coast

• Homs

• Hama

Vigilante killings continued across the country, but not to the same extreme level seen last week. Likely sectarian-motivated murders also continued, with four men killed across Hama and Latakia on November 4 and additional targeted shootings in Homs city throughout the week. Reliable reports of kidnappings slowed this week, but have continued in Latakia and Tartous.

Meanwhile, government forces conducted major anti-insurgent operations across the country, targeting both Assad remnants in the coast and ISIS cells. Several days of anti-insurgent operations were conducted in the Jableh countryside, with two insurgents killed and at least one retaliatory IED attack against a local police station. Several senior-regime era criminals were also arrested, sparking anger among some locals who claimed the generals had been innocent of any crimes.

On November 8 and 9, ISC units launched a nation-wide anti-ISIS campaign in coordination with General Intelligence, conducting more than 60 raids in rural Damascus, Homs, Hama, Idlib, Aleppo, and Deir Ez Zor. The operation resulted in the arrest of more than 70 men and the capture of several explosives workshops.