Syrian fighters execute 35 in three days, war monitor says
GuardianJan 27
Syria's New Leaders Face Accusations of Alleged Summary Executions
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Above: In Damascus, Syria, HTS fighters march across Umayyad Square during a mourning protest on Dec. 27, 2024. Image copyright: Chris McGrath/Staff/ Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Syria's new Islamist leadership, which took control after toppling Bashar al-Assad's government last month, has been linked to 35 alleged summary executions over a 72-hour period, primarily targeting former Assad-era officers who had voluntarily presented themselves to the new authorities.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented widespread human rights violations in the western Homs area, including mass arbitrary arrests, attacks against religious symbols, mutilation of corpses, and brutal executions targeting civilians, describing these actions as showing "an unprecedented level of cruelty and violence."
Official Syrian news agency SANA reported that authorities have accused members of a "criminal group" of exploiting security operations to commit abuses against residents while posing as security service members, leading to multiple arrests in the Homs region.
The Spin
Narrative A
The new regime is conducting systematic revenge killings and targeting religious minorities, particularly the Alawite community, under the guise of security operations. The unprecedented level of violence and targeted executions reveal a pattern of sectarian revenge rather than legitimate security measures.
Narrative B
The security operations by Syria's new administration are necessary measures to maintain order and prevent criminal elements from exploiting the transition period. The authorities are actively addressing violations by arresting those responsible for unauthorized actions, demonstrating a commitment to establishing law and order.
