The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Shepherd found dead in Al-Sabkhah desert

Mysterious killings continue in the Syrian desert claiming the lives of more civilians, especially shepherds, while the blame is pointed at ISIS and regime-backed militiamen.

In new incident, a shepherd was found dead and dumped nearby Al-Sabkhah town in the south-eastern countryside of Al-Raqqah.

On April 4, SOHR activists have documented a new massacre against civilians in controlled areas of regime forces and loyal militias in the Syrian Desert.

According to SOHR sources, unknown gunmen attacked housing blocks where civilian families live in Al-Mestaha area near Ma’daan Atiq in Al-Raqqah countryside. The attackers kidnapped seven civilians, including one woman, after setting fire to their houses, then they executed the seven civilians and dumped their bodies in the area.

It is noteworthy that regime forces and their loyal militias did not care of the fire and took no action. No confirmed information has been reported about the perpetrators’ identity. However some reports have accused regime forces and their loyal militias of committing this massacre.

On February 21, SOHR sources reported that a new massacre of civilians took place in areas held by regime forces and loyalists. At least seven civilians were killed after being executed by two unidentified gunmen to date. The bodies of civilians were found in Ma’adan’s Al-Bariyeh area in Al-Raqqah countryside.

While on January 14, the Syrian Observatory reported that a new massacre took place in areas held by regime forces and loyalists in less than 10 days. The bodies of seven Syrian civilians who were shot dead while grazing cattle were found in Ayash desert, which is controlled by regime forces and Iranians, west of Deir ez-Zor. No information had been reported yet about the perpetrators’ identity, amid accusations that the shepherds were killed by pro-Syrian regime militias.