Homs tops Syrian cities in sectarian killings of Alawite civilians

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: SOHR
Today 11:56

Homs has become the Syrian city most affected by sectarian-motivated killings, with Alawite civilians targeted in a series of attacks, including extrajudicial killings, assaults, and raids, according to SOHR.

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Members of the Syrian government security forces take part in an operation to detain individuals in Homs, Syria, on January 3, 2025. (AP)

Homs has witnessed a disturbing rise in sectarian violence, primarily targeting Alawite civilians, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said.

On October 19, three Alawite individuals, including a man and his wife, were killed in Bab al-Darib area by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle. The assailants fled the scene, and no information regarding their identities has been disclosed.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of sectarian-driven violence in the region. According to SOHR, since the beginning of October, 16 individuals have been killed in sectarian-related attacks across various Syrian provinces. The lack of effective security measures to contain such violence has exacerbated the already fragile security situation in the country.

In a related incident, on October 21, two Alawite girls, aged 13 and 14, were injured in a shooting attack in the Akrama neighborhood of Homs City. The gunmen, also on a motorcycle, opened fire on the girls, who were subsequently hospitalized with severe injuries.

Since the beginning of 2025, Homs has recorded 359 victims of extrajudicial killings, including 329 men, 20 women, and 10 children, with 231 deaths linked directly to sectarian affiliation, SOHR stated.

Sectarian violence in post-Assad Syria

Since the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria has witnessed multiple sectarian-motivated raids and systematic attacks, such as the attacks on the Syrian coast and Sweida. These actions are often attributed to armed groups, some affiliated with the transitional government.

In areas like Homs, these operations have reportedly resulted in more violent confrontations compared to other regions. Reports indicate instances of sectarian slurs, looting, beatings, kidnappings, and extrajudicial killings during these operations.

Early attacks in Homs

In January 2025, SOHR reported that Alawite civilians in the village of Tasnin, located in the Homs countryside, were targeted by gunmen who identified themselves as part of the Military Operations Command. During a widespread arrest operation from January 14 to 16, several suspects resisted arrest. The attackers set seven houses on fire and murdered six civilians, with attempts by villagers and elders to report the massacre to Syrian government police and security forces proving unsuccessful.

On January 23, 2025, the Military Operations Command, which now forms a substantial part of government forces, launched a large-scale security campaign in collaboration with local gunmen in the villages of al-Hamam, al-Ghozaylah, al-Gharbiyah, and Fahel in the western Homs countryside. During the operation, four civilians were extrajudicially killed, 10 civilians were injured, and five others were arrested. Reports also indicate that government-aligned gunmen abused and assaulted other villagers, forcing several to bark and bray like animals, and destroyed several village tombstones.