Syria’s new ruling authorities have arrested close to 300 people, including informants, pro-regime fighters, and former soldiers, in a large-scale crackdown.
The operation targets loyalists of ousted president Bashar al-Assad, according to a report from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The crackdown follows the fall of Assad’s regime three weeks ago, when rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group overthrew the president after more than five decades of family rule.
As the new government seeks to consolidate control, security forces launched the operation against Assad’s militias on Thursday.
Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the British-based war monitor, confirmed that nearly 300 individuals have been detained in locations including Damascus, Homs, Hama, Tartus, Latakia, and Deir Ezzor.
The detentions have sparked concern over human rights abuses, with some detainees reportedly executed on the spot after arrest.
State media also reported arrests in Hama and Latakia provinces, where weapons and ammunition were seized from “Assad militia members.” However, no specific figures were provided.
Among those arrested are former regime informants, pro-Iranian fighters, and low-ranking military officers accused of involvement in killings and torture.
The new regime’s security forces are said to be cooperating with local populations in the operation.
The crackdown has also resulted in the arrest of General Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, the former head of military justice under Assad, who oversaw thousands of death sentences at Saydnaya prison.
Despite the ongoing campaign, no major political figures have been detained so far.
