Rebuilding Security in New Syria: Year 2, Week 21
Tracking the spread of new security forces and security incidents in post-Assad Syria from April 27 to May 3
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.
This week saw an increase in vigilante and sectarian killings after a multi-week lull. A rare vigilante killing was conducted in al-Ghab, likely a result of the increased tensions in the region following the arrest of Amjad Yusuf there last week. Several Alawi men were killed in Homs city and its countryside. Some of the murders appear to have been linked to war-time events given their targeted nature. Sunnis victims were also killed in murders and disputes in Hama, Damascus, and Latakia. An MoD member was also reportedly arrested this week by the Military Police for conducting a vigilante killing in Hama.
Security forces have arrested many ex-regime criminals throughout April, detaining men at a far greater rate than previously seen. This week saw at least 11 such arrest operations, some targeting more than one man. Most of these targeted men linked to the regime’s intelligence services, but high profile officers were also arrested. Security forces in Raqqa also conducted three arrests at the end of the week against ex-SDF intelligence and military officials in the governorate.
At the same time, the government continues to release regime POWs from prison this month, generally 1-2 batches per week. This week was no exception, and the trend suggests an accelerated effort by Damascus to process and release ex-soldiers with clean records.