Aletho News

Syrian authorities continue campaign against ex-government ‘war criminals’ in Homs

The Cradle | January 2, 2025

Security forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched search operations throughout Syria’s central governorate of Homs on 2 January, targeting “war criminals” affiliated with the former government’s armed forces, Syrian state media reported.

“The Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Military Operations Department, begins a wide-scale combing operation in the neighborhoods of Homs city,” state media outlet SANA reported, citing a security official.

The official added that the security forces are targeting “war criminals and those involved in crimes who refused to hand over their weapons and go to the settlement centers,” as well as “fugitives from justice, in addition to hidden ammunition and weapons.”

“We ask our civilian people to cooperate with our forces to find these criminals who keep weapons and ammunition among you, and refuse to settle and hand over these weapons,” the security official went on to say.

A curfew has been imposed on several neighborhoods in Homs city. As security forces entered and searched homes in Homs, residents told Sputnik that “fear and panic” have overtaken the streets and that “heavy gunfire” is being heard.

The search operations coincide with fierce clashes between Syria’s new authorities and remnants of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA).

Ambushes and attacks have recently targeted HTS patrols and positions in the western Latakia and Tartous governorates and other areas across the country. SANA reported over the weekend that former members of the SAA were refusing to hand over their weapons, and that this was the reason operations were continuing.

The HTS-led Military Operations Command in Syria has set up “reconciliation centers” for former government personnel to surrender weapons and receive temporary IDs, but reports indicate that numerous individuals have been abducted and found dead, even after having given up their weapons.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has documented at least 85 murder crimes across Syria that have led to 144 fatalities in recent weeks.

While the new government has vowed to protect minorities, there have been numerous instances of attacks on Christian and Alawite holy sites and symbols. Executions of Alawite civilians and former government soldiers have been widely reported.

A large number of Christians are fleeing the ancient Christian town of Maaloula in southwestern Syria, where Aramaic, the ancient language of Jesus, is still spoken.

A new group called the Syrian Resistance in Al-Sahel announced late last month that massacres committed by the HTS-led “terrorist administration” will be met with attacks on “elements and leaders” of the new government.

“We are still waiting for the bloodshed to stop so that it is not said that we are the instigators of sedition. We only want Syria to be Arab and independent, as it was for all components of our people,” the group added.

January 2, 2025 - Posted by aletho | Subjugation - Torture | Syria