Rebuilding Security in New Syria: Year 2, Week 35
Tracking the spread of new security forces and security incidents in post-Assad Syria from August 3 to August 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.
The Ministry of Interior continued to expand its training efforts across the country this week. The MoI officially opened the Deir Ez Zor Training Institute, the first such training facility in eastern Syria, while two new classes of cadets graduated in Latakia and in Hama. Security forces intercepted a significant weapons shipment being smuggled into Lebanon and dismantled several large kidnapping and robbery networks. At least four regime-era officers were also arrested this week in Homs, Latakia, and Aleppo.
Anti-ISIS operations and ISIS attacks continued this week. A 9-person ISIS cell was detained in Quneitra’s Khan Arnaba on August 9, including senior ISIS commander close to the former Caliph killed in 2022. Prior to that, a suspect ISIS IED attack was carried out in Damascus and a second ISIS IED team was killed while trying to plant a device in the city.
Inter-family fights continue to be a strain on security forces, with violent clashes breaking out in Aleppo, Latakia, and Homs this week leaving several dead and dozens injured.