Rebuilding Security in New Syria: Week 28

Tracking the spread of new security forces and security incidents in post-Assad Syria from June 16 to June 22

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

Vigilante-style and anti-Alawite violence continues at an elevated pace across Syria in the wake of the June 10 Civil Peace Committee press conference. Ex-regime security figures were assassinated in Aleppo and Damascus, while Hama saw no assassinations for the first time in weeks. Anti-Alwite violence was concentrated in Homs this week, unlike the past two weeks, with attacks occurring across the city and countryside. Security forces also continued their high tempo of arrests against ex-regime elements and of counter-smuggling operations along the Lebanese border.

Most significantly, on June 22 a suspected ISIS member successfully attacked a church in Damascus city, killing more than 20 worshippers and wounding more than 50. This is the fourth attack on a church since December 8, but by far the most violent (all previous attacks only saw material damage to the outside). Security forces launched a series of raids in the East Ghouta region on June 23, arresting a number of ISIS fighters, killing at least two, and capturing several prepped bombs apparently ready for use in the city.