Rebuilding Security in New Syria: Weeks 32 & 33

Tracking the spread of new security forces and security incidents in post-Assad Syria from July 14 to July 27

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

On July 14, Syrian government military and internal security forces entering Suwayda governorate were ambushed by Druze militia fighters. The units had been dispatched following an agreement the previous evening between Suwayda GSS chief Ahmed Dalati and Druze sheikhs approving Damascus’ deployment to end Bedouin-Druze clashes. The initial Druze ambushes occurred at the first checkpoints entering the governorate and quickly triggered a massive military deployment to the area. Damascus sent dozens of units while tribal fighters from Dara’a and Deir Ez Zor - some of whom had already been fighting in Suwayda since July 13 - poured in. Government and tribal forces committed widespread violations while the Druze community rallied around the Israeli-backed Hikmat al-Hijri. Fighting between Druze and Bedouin forces would continue for more than a week following the government’s withdrawal from Suwayda on July 16.

During these two weeks, security operations and sectarian killings continued elsewhere in the country - again at a similarly low rate as in past weeks. Alawite men were reported kidnapped and killed in Damascus and Homs. The Jableh countryside continues to see the most violence in the coast, with around one killing each week, often committed by locally deployed soldiers. A rare killing in Tartous governorate came when a wanted anti-government insurgent was stopped at a checkpoint and beat to death. Like others who commit violations, those checkpoint personnel were quickly arrested. Yet there remains a distinct lack of transparency over their punishments afterwards.

For their part, security forces have increasingly reported the arrests of kidnapping gangs across western Syria, as well as individuals posing as security members to carry out crimes. The most important security operation came on July 26, when a set of coordinated raids carried out over three days resulted in the capture of three pro-regime insurgent cells in the coast, including several commanders.