Since the beginning of January 2026, central and western Syria have been witnessing a terrifying security escalation. The “De Facto” authorities and affiliated armed groups have unleashed a campaign of systematic repression that mirrors the darkest methods of tyranny, specifically targeting the Alawite community and its prominent social and religious figures.
A Trail of Blood: Assassinations and Torture
The brutality of the current situation has reached the level of extrajudicial killing and targeted assassinations. Between January 6 and 7, 2026, several grave incidents were documented:
* Homs – Abu Hakfa Al-Shamali: A bloody attack targeted a local supermarket on the public road. An armed gang in a vehicle opened fire, resulting in the martyrdom of three individuals from the Alawite community: Farhan Maarouf (the shop owner), his son Muntajab Maarouf, and Muhammad Shaaban (a local teacher who sustained a fatal head injury).
* Torture in Prisons: The young man Jamal al-Din Abi Ibrahim was martyred on January 6 after being subjected to brutal torture in the dungeons of the “General Security” in Homs following his arrest during a peaceful protest.
Economic Warfare: Mass Layoffs and “Administrative Cleansing”
Parallel to the physical violence, the authorities have initiated a policy of economic displacement. In early January 2026, a wave of mass layoffs struck the city of Homs:
* The General Company for Building and Construction: Approximately 400 employees were terminated under the pretext of “end of contracts.”
* Targeting Experience: Despite claims that these were “new employees,” reports confirm that many of those dismissed had served for 15 to 25 years.
* Systematic Restructuring: This “administrative cleansing” has extended to the electricity, telecommunications, and education sectors across Homs, Damascus, and the Coast, effectively stripping hundreds of families of their only source of income amidst a collapsing economy.
The Siege of Cities: Turning Localities into “Open Prisons”
The security forces have transformed the coastal region into a militarized zone. In Qardaha, the “General Security” forces established a network of permanent and mobile checkpoints at vital junctions (Beit Jadid, Al-Marija, and the Sunbula Arch). Civilians are subjected to humiliating procedures, including the forced inspection of mobile phones and arbitrary detention for any suspected pro-democracy leanings.
Silencing the Voice of Reason: Religious and Political Symbols
The authorities have escalated their aggression by arresting high-profile figures to break the community’s morale:
* Sheikh Ahmad Habib: Arrested in Qardaha on fabricated charges of “incitement.”
* Sheikh Ali Helhel & Sheikh Asif Muhanna: Leadership of the Alawite Council in Tartous.
* Civil Society: Political activist Aktham Deeb (Jableh) and Sheikh Ahmad Issa (Baniyas) were detained for their peaceful stance against injustice.
* Safita & Tartous: Local officials like Abdul Aziz Mkhayber (Head of Al-Adida Municipality) and ordinary citizens like Omran Al-Wahish have been abducted from their workplaces.
The War on Women and Civil Society
In a grave violation of social norms, the security apparatus has launched a hunt for women members of the “Political Body in Latakia.” Families are being threatened with prosecution if they disclose details of these disappearances. In Tartous, while “Jihadist” groups are allowed to roam freely, a French language teacher and 45 youths were arrested for simply demanding dignity.
Statement of Condemnation
The systematic policy of “open prisons,” the economic starvation through mass layoffs, and the targeted assassinations represent an unprecedented escalation. We hold the controlling powers fully responsible for the physical and psychological safety of all detainees and the families of the victims in Abu Hakfa.