Recent reports, including those published by L’Orient-Le Jour, highlight a disturbing surge in targeted assassinations in the city of Homs. Since the political transition on December 8, 2024, more than 300 civilians have been killed in a series of attacks, creating a volatile security situation that directly threatens the city’s stability.
The Akrama Tragedy: A Symbol of Loss
The pro-regime neighborhood of Akrama continues to reel from recurring violence. The case of Khodor and Nada stands as a tragic embodiment of this ongoing ordeal. On the night of February 18, while the engaged couple was returning home, they were ambushed by masked gunmen who opened fire in cold blood. Khodor was killed instantly, and Nada succumbed to her wounds shortly after. This incident, while devastating, is merely one episode in a daily cycle of terror haunting the residents of the neighborhood.
Lawlessness in the City Streets
These assassinations follow a consistent pattern characterized by sudden ambush and swift escape, complicating the efforts of security authorities to intercept the perpetrators. Observers note that this tactic allows the assailants to remain at large, capable of conducting repeated attacks across various parts of Homs, exploiting the pervasive security breakdown to commit crimes without fear of pursuit or punishment.
Systematic Targeting of Alawite Civilians
L’Orient-Le Jour reports that the vast majority of victims are civilians from the Alawite community, underscoring the systematic nature of these operations. This pattern of targeting is no coincidence; it indicates a clear intent to drain and terrorize this specific social component within its own population centers. By turning civilians into direct targets in a series of interconnected assassinations, the perpetrators demonstrate a calculated effort to undermine the personal and collective security of this group, exploiting the current security vacuum to impose a new reality through raw force.
De Facto Authorities: A Vacuum of Accountability and Law
Frustration is mounting among the residents of Homs due to what they perceive as the “negligence” of the de facto authorities in addressing these incidents. Despite the repetitive nature of these killings, investigations and accountability measures remain nonexistent, amid a total absence of justice and the rule of law. This daily bloodshed places the de facto authorities under direct legal and moral responsibility. Citizens, living under constant threat, are now demanding concrete steps to end the wanton loss of innocent lives and to curb the state of lawlessness devastating the city’s security.