300 individuals detained in a crackdown by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) targeting supporters of Assad in Syria
A UK-based war monitor has reported that the new authorities in Syria have apprehended nearly 300 individuals as part of an extensive campaign targeting supporters of President Bashar al-Assad. This follows the recent collapse of his administration earlier this month.
Rami Abdel Rahman, the director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), stated on Sunday that the administration of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) initiated a wide-scale arrest operation targeting supporters of President Assad earlier this week.
According to Abdel Rahman, authorities have detained almost 300 individuals over the past week in various regions, including Damascus and its suburbs, Homs, Hama, Tartus, Latakia, and Deir Ezzor.
He further stated that the arrests included former informants, pro-government combatants, former military personnel, and several low-ranking officers.
Abdel Rahman reported that the campaign continues without the arrest of any high-profile individuals, with the exception of General Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, a military justice official who is purportedly linked to issuing death sentences for inmates at Sednaya prison.
According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, a series of arrests have been conducted this week focusing on fighters loyal to President Bashar al-Assad in the provinces of Hama and Latakia. During these operations, authorities reportedly seized various weapons and ammunition. However, SANA did not provide specific details or figures regarding the arrests.
In a swift and unexpected offensive, militant forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized control of Damascus on December 8, effectively announcing the conclusion of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The operation originated from the group’s stronghold in northwestern Syria and remarkably unfolded, reaching the Syrian capital in under two weeks.
The HTS administration has consistently asserted its commitment to upholding the rights of all religious and sectarian groups within Syria.
The current situation remains highly volatile and precarious, with an elevated risk of additional confrontations as sectarian tensions intensify. This is set against a backdrop of persistent political instability and mounting pressures on minority communities.
