Tranquility in the western Syrian village of Khirbet al-Hammam was shattered last week as violence erupted once more, dashing hopes for a fading conflict, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday.

Shells fired by former rebel forces struck residential areas, claiming the life of a teenage boy and stoking fears of brutal reprisals in the aftermath of the ousting of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

The atmosphere in places like Khirbet al-Hammam—a predominantly Alawite village, has been overshadowed by fear. As Syria’s new leadership, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), embarks on a campaign to identify remnants of the former regime, Alawite communities report escalating violence, including killings, disappearances, beatings, and sectarian intimidation, the report mentioned.

It indicated that this resurgence of violence poses an early challenge to Syria’s new government led by HTS, which led the coalition that ousted al-Assad in December.

The group had initially pledged inclusivity and protection for minorities. However, demands for vengeance against members of the former regime have surged as displaced Syrians return to towns and cities.

Attempts to 'neutralize' remnants of former regime

HTS has promised to unify Syria’s militant factions into a single military entity. Yet, with this initiative still pending, identifying the perpetrators of violence and their motives remains a complex task.

Residents of Khirbet al-Hammam suggested last week’s attack, launched by the new government forces, might have been a mistaken effort to target Shujaa al-Ali, a well-known Assad loyalist from a nearby village. Others speculated the strike could have been aimed at members of Ali’s men as they passed through the area.

HTS did not immediately respond to inquiries about the assault, though it issued statements last Thursday asserting that operations in the region aimed to neutralize what it called “remnants” of al-Assad’s regime.

The Washington Post noted that the village offers little evidence of favoritism toward al-Assad’s former government.

Iyad Holo, a 40-year-old painter, recounted the moment a shell struck near his home, narrowly sparing him and his son. “God saved us,” he said. Tragically, 16-year-old Amin al-Youssef was killed in front of Holo’s house while riding a motorcycle with his brother, who sustained injuries.

Alawites have become the targets of widespread anger. “Terrorists! They are all terrorists!” shouted a man outside an HTS checkpoint in Homs, addressing an Alawite neighborhood that was cordoned off by HTS after a protest on December 25.

Tensions flared further when a video surfaced online showing armed men attacking an Alawite shrine in Aleppo. While HTS attributed the act to unidentified external forces, the incident amplified unrest in Alawite-majority areas.

The December 25 protest in Homs ended in bloodshed, with HTS blaming pro-regime infiltrators for inciting violence, while locals accused rebel fighters of firing on demonstrators. At least one individual was killed, and the following day, HTS fighters sealed off several Alawite neighborhoods, barring cars from entering and interrogating residents.

“We don’t have any problems with Alawites,” said Fadi, an HTS fighter from Idlib province. “Our problem is those who worked with the gang of criminals.”

Read more: US expresses concern over violence against minorities in Syria