Fate of 900 people in Homs unknown amid calls for halt of violations
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The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) claim thwarting an attack by Turkey-backed factions on the Tishreen Dam and Maskanah frontlines in the eastern Aleppo countryside.
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People stand outside their homes as members of the new security forces take part in an operation to detain men suspected of being part of militias or Syrian Arab Army soldiers in Homs, Syria, Friday, January 3, 2025. (AP)
Over 900 individuals have reportedly been detained and taken to undisclosed locations, with their fate completely unknown, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported, noting that the treatment of detainees in Homs contrasts with the more lenient approach seen in other regions.
Earlier, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported the detention of 500 individuals from villages in the eastern Homs countryside during a security operation launched by the Military Operations Administration and the Ministry of Interior.
Among the detainees are officers and personnel who had reconciled with the new administration and obtained identification cards for follow-up. Reports indicate that some detainees faced violations during arrests, including instances of torture while being transported to security centers, according to our correspondent.
The operation initially targeted villages such as Jib al-Jarrah, Maksar al-Hisan, and Mukharram al-Fuqani, before expanding to other areas, including Sanqari, al-Masoudiya, and Abu Hafka.
Sectarian rhetoric prevalent
Syrian media highlighted appeals from residents concerning violations and destruction during the military's combing operations. Allegations include young men being taken to undisclosed locations and sectarian rhetoric being used by armed personnel, who reportedly assaulted individuals based on sectarian affiliations and threatened those attempting to document the events. Internet access in these areas has also been cut off.
Witnesses spoke of public humiliation and torture, particularly targeting former regime officers, despite a lack of evidence implicating them in violence.
Separately, local sources in Homs reported that armed checkpoints have prevented Alawite female employees of the Technical Services Directorate from accessing their workplace for four consecutive days. The employees were warned not to return, while their supervisors threatened dismissal due to absenteeism.
SDF, Turkiye-backed forces fighting in Aleppo countryside
In northern Syria, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) thwarted an attack by Turkiye-backed factions on the Tishreen Dam and Maskanah frontlines in the eastern Aleppo countryside.
The dam had been subjected to Turkish shelling and attacks by allied factions. Intense clashes and airstrikes ensued, with the SDF retaliating by targeting water pumping stations supplying Aleppo.
The SDF reported killing approximately 100 Turkiye-backed fighters, while the factions acknowledged the loss of 25 members.
The attacks come amid heightened tensions in northern Syria, where Turkish-backed groups frequently clash with the SDF and their affiliates.
The SDF, a key ally of the Manbij Military Council, recently reported the deaths of 52 members of Turkish-backed factions in fierce battles near the Tishrin Dam.
Read more: Turkiye warns of disaster at Syria's Tishreen Dam amid intense clashes
The Tishreen Dam, a critical infrastructure site, is of strategic significance in the region, making it a focal point in the broader power struggle in northern Syria.
The dam not only provides electricity to surrounding areas but also serves as a critical water resource, making it a target in the ongoing hostilities.
