Regime repression since early 2021 | Security services arrest nearly 1,200 civilians in Aleppo, Reef Dimashq, Deir Ezzor and Daraa

On Oct 31, 2021

Ten months of 2021 passed while the Syrian people have been hammered by the regime security iron fist that has been practiced in the regime-held areas in different provinces. SOHR activists have documented during that period that the regime forces and its security services have arrested above 1,184 civilians on four provinces: Daraa, Reef Dimashq, Aleppo and Deir Ezzor in different period over different charges, most prominent of which are fleeing the mandatory and reserve service and communicating with foreign bodies.

Large number of those arrested have been released after their relatives have paid material ransoms, while nearly 230 of them have been still under arrest including 176 civilians that were documented in names with SOHR while families of the remains were reluctant to give information about their children fearing the regime intelligence.

Names documented by the SOHR are categorized as the following: 72 have been arrested in Daraa, 51 in Reef Dimashq, 30 from Aleppo and 23 from Deir Ezzor.

SOHR activists review details of the arrests according to the dates and the places of detention:

In Reef Dimashq province, 51 civilians including four women have been arrested in different areas in the Syrian capital, Damascus who have been categorized as the following: 12 from Douma city including four ladies, eight from Otaya town in east al-Ghouta, 13 from Zakyah and Kanaker towns in west Damascus countryside, three from Harista, three from Hazah town in east Ghouta, five brothers from Ain Terma in east al-Ghouta, three from Kafer al-Zayat town in Wady Bardy area, two from Zamlaka in east al-Ghouta, one person from A’sal al-Ward town at border with Lebanon in al-Qalamoon neighborhood, one person from Germana camp neighborhood in Damascus countryside.

The detained civilians have been distributed as the following:

• On January 16: Syrian regime security services arrested three people in Kanaker Town in West Damascus, “R.Z.”, “A.D.”, “Z.R.” in their road to Damascus, but reason behind the arrest remained unknown.

• On January 21: Syrian regime security services arrested two of settlement members in Kanaker Town, “H.M.” and “M.M.” thought they carry security cards issued by the 4th Division after they struck settlements.

• On January 24: A checkpoint of the military security and the air intelligence have arrested four from Zakyah town in west Damascus countryside, “Z.KH.”, “A.K.”, “M.N.”, and “B.A.” while attempting to visit Damascus for work.

In Deir Ezzor province, 23 civilians have been arrested in different areas in the province including the regime-held areas and Iranian-backed factions, but details about their arrests have been categorized as the following according the documentations and reports of SOHR activists:

(1) A young man known by his initials as A. M. was arrested, on January 5, by regime security services from his house in al-Mayadeen city for “funding terrorism”.

(2) A young man known by his initials as H. A. was arrested, on January 26, at al-Panorama checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Ezzor city for unknown reasons.

(3) A young man known by his initials as S. A. was arrested, on February 2, at a checkpoint of the political security in al-Ashara city in Deir Ezzor countryside for unknown reasons.

(4) A young man known by his initials as F. K. was arrested, on February 11, from his house in al-Bokamal city for unknown reasons.

(5) A young man known by his initials as A. A. was arrested, on February 27, by a patrol of the state security service in Deir Ezzor for unknown reasons.

(6) A young man known by his initials as J. D. was arrested, on March 8, at the checkpoint at al-Bel’oum roundabout in al-Mayadeen city for unknown reasons.

(7) A young man known by his initials as A. A. was arrested, on March 13, at the checkpoint of the 4th Division in Baqrus town in Deir Ezzor countryside for unknown reasons.

(8) A young man known by his initials as A. A. was arrested, on April 4, by a patrol of the military security service in al-Wadi street in Deir Ezzor city for unknown reasons.

(9) A young man known by his initials as A. A. was arrested, on April 12, by the state security service in Deir Ezzor city for “misappropriation of public funds”.

(10) A young man known by his initials as A. A. was arrested, on April 23, by regime security service from his house in al-Tayba town in al-Mayadeen countryside for unknown reasons.

(11) A young man known by his initials as W. A. was arrested, on May 7, by the criminal security service from his house in Deir Ezzor city for unknown reasons.

(12) A young man known by his initials as A. A. was arrested, on May 31, by the 4th Division for unknown reasons, as he was crossing from SDF-held areas to regime-held areas.

(13) A young man known by his initials as F. A. was arrested, on June 1, at the checkpoint at al-Bel’oum roundabout in al-Mayadeen city for unknown reasons.

(14) A young man known by his initials as A. N. was arrested, on June 11, at the checkpoint in Shnan area in the eastern countryside of al-Raqqah for unknown reasons.

(15) A young man known by his initials as A. A. was arrested, on June 19, from his house in Mahakan town in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor for unknown reasons.

(16) A young man known by his initials as T. M. was arrested, on July 9, by a patrol of the regime Air-Force Intelligence in Baqrus town for unknown reasons.

(17) A young man known by his initials as J. A. was arrested, on July 13, during a security campaign by a patrol of the military security service targeting his house in al-Majari town in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor for unknown reasons.

(18) A young man known by his initials as Q. H. was arrested, on July 29, at al-Panorama checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Ezzor city for unknown reasons.

(19) A young man known by his initials as B. M. was arrested, on August 20, at al-Panorama checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Ezzor city for unknown reasons.

(20) A young man known by his initials as K. A. was arrested, on August 23, by the 4th Division for unknown reasons, as he was crossing from SDF-held areas to regime-held areas.

(21) A young man known by his initials as M. H. was arrested, on August 27, by the 4th Division for unknown reasons, as he was crossing from SDF-held areas to regime-held areas.

(22) A young man known by his initials as A. M. was arrested, on September 9, at al-Panorama checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Ezzor city for unknown reasons.

(23) A young man known by his initials as A. A. was arrested, on September 24, at al-Panorama checkpoint at the entrance of Deir Ezzor city for unknown reasons.

SOHR activists have documented since the beginning of 2021 the arrest of 72 civilians by the regime security services in different areas in Daraa province in south Syria. Details of the arrests have been categorized as the following in according with SOHR as:

• 8-1-2021: air intelligence arrested civilian known as “H.A.” at the vicinity of Dael city in central Daraa countryside.

• 10-1-2021: regime security services arrested civilian known as “J.A.” from al-Harah town who is from Deraa countryside in Tamr town in north Daraa town. The man is the owner of currency change and money transaction office.

• 23-1-2021: regime security service arrested a civilian known as “Th.A” from his farm near irrigation building in eastern al-Mazareeb.

• 6-2-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” from the house of the mayor of Kafr Nasej town in north Daraa.

• 10-2-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “H.A” in one of its checkpoints in al-Boq’a village in al-Logah area in north east Daraa.

• 10-2-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.R” in one of its checkpoints in al- Boq’a village in al-Logah area in north east Daraa.

• 10-2-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” in one of its checkpoints in al- Boq’a village in al-Logah area in north east Daraa.

• 10-2-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.F” in one of its checkpoints in al- Boq’a village in al-Logah area in north east Daraa.

• 10-2-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “L.M” in one of its checkpoints in al- Boq’a village in al-Logah area in north east Daraa.

• 13-2-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” in from his house in Kafr Nasej town in north Daraa.

• 26-2-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” in one of its checkpoints in Da’al town in central Daraa countryside.

• 27-2-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” from his house in in Kafr Nasej town in north Daraa.

• 14-3-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” in one of its checkpoints inside Daraa al-Mahatah.

• 27-3-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.KH” from al-Sabeel district in Daraa al-Mahatah.

• 4-4-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “KH.H” in Mankat al-Hatab checkpoint at the road of Damascus capital.

• 10-4-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “Th.M” in from his house in Da’l town in central Daraa countryside.

• 27-4-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “F.D” in from his house in Da’l town in central Daraa countryside.

• 7-5-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” who is from Tafas town in in one of its checkpoints in Damascus.

• 7-5-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “H.A” who is from Tafs city, in checkpoint at Daraa-Damascus autostrada road.

• 7-5-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “Th.M” in from his house in Da’l town in central Daraa countryside.

• 7-5-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” who is from Da’al city in checkpoint at Daraa-Damascus autostrada road.

• 7-5-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “W.H” who is from Da’al city in central Daraa countryside.

• 28-5-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.H” from one of its checkpoints in the area.

• 28-5-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.H” who is Mahagh town in Daraa countryside.

• 31-5-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “B.A” from his house in Da’al city in central Daraa countryside.

• 31-5-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “Y.A” from his house in Da’al city in central Daraa countryside.

• 6-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “T.A” from Othman town near to Daraa city.

• 6-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” from Othman town near to Daraa city.

• 6-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “L.A” from Othman town near to Daraa city.

• 6-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” from Othman town near to Daraa city.

• 6-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” from Othman town near to Daraa city.

• 9-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “T.Sh” from his house in Namr town.

• 12-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.S” after storming his house in Mahaga town in Daraa countryside.

• 6-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “T.A” from Othman town near to Daraa city.

• 12-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “H.A” after storming his house in Mahaga town in Daraa countryside.

• 12-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” after storming his house in Mahaga town in Daraa countryside.

• 12-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “S.A” after storming his house in Mahaga town in Daraa countryside.

• 12-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” after storming his house in Mahaga town in Daraa countryside.

• 13-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “Kh.A” who is from Tafs city in the migration and visa building in Daraa city while he was applying of a visa.

• 12-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.Y” in one of its checkpoints in al-Harah town in north Daraa countryside.

• 18-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.Z” from Daraa al-Balad.

• 22-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” from Jasem city in north Daraa.

• 23-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “Kh.A” from Daraa al-Balad in al-Sentar checkpoint at the entrance of Damascus.

• 22-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “Y.A” in one of its checkpoints in Daraa al-Mahata.

• 12-6-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “H.A” after storming his house in Mahaga town in Daraa countryside.

• 7-7-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” from his land around Ain Thaker town west Daraa.

• 7-7-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.H” from his land around Ain Thaker town west Daraa.

• 7-7-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” from his land around Ain Thaker town west Daraa.

• 7-7-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.H” from his land around Ain Thaker town west Daraa.

• 7-7-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” from his land around Ain Thaker town west Daraa.

• 7-7-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” from his land around Ain Thaker town west Daraa.

• 7-7-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.R” from his land around Ain Thaker town west Daraa.

• 8-8-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “W.A” who is from Om al-Mayzen town in one of its checkpoints in Da’al twon in central Daraa countryside.

• 16-8-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” from Jasem city in one of Damascus checkpoints. It is worth noting that he is a civilian and he was going to bring his passport.

• 24-8-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “Y.A” at one of the checkpoints stationed in Da’al city and Abtaa’ town in central Daraa countryside.

• 24-8-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” at one of the checkpoints stationed in Da’al city and Abtaa’ town in central Daraa countryside.

• 24-8-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” at one of the checkpoints stationed in Da’al city and Abtaa’ town in central Daraa countryside.

• 3-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.K” at one of the checkpoints stationed between Namer and al-Harah towns in Daraa countryside.

• 4-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.H” in al-Matar neighborhood in Daraa al-Mahatah on charges that his brother launched attacks against the regime forces in Daraa al-Balad.

• 6-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” from al-Harah town in Daraa countryside.

• 6-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.Q” from al-Harah town in Daraa countryside.

• 6-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.Q” from al-Harah town in Daraa countryside.

• 6-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” from Ezra’a city in north in Daraa.

• 6-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “H.J” from Ezra’a city in north in Daraa.

• 7-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “S.A” from Jasem city. He was arrested in migration and visa building in Daraa city where he was applying for a passport.

• 9-10-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “Kh.A” in one of its checkpoints in Da’al city in central Daraa countryside.

• 14-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “Kh.A” while he was chopping al-Kinya tress around Jasem city in west Daraa countryside.

• 14-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” while he was chopping al-Kinya tress around Jasem city in west Daraa countryside.

• 14-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” in one of its checkpoints between Namr and al-Harah towns.

• 14-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “R.A” in one of its checkpoints between Namr and al-Harah towns.

• 4-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” from his house in Jeyab town in north Daraa.

• 4-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” from his house in Jeyab town in north Daraa.

• 28-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “M.A” at the Lebanese-Syrian border while he was returning back from Lebanon. He is from Jasem city in Daraa countryside.

• 29-9-2021: regime security services have arrested a civilian known as “A.A” who is from Taseel town in Taseel town in Daraa countryside, in Mankath checkpoint at the entrance of Damascus from Daraa side.

While nearly 30 people, of those arrested in Aleppo since early 2021, have been still detained, among them there are 11 detainees whom SOHR could document by names. SOHR could not obtain the names of the rest of the detainees, as their families preferred not to disclose their identities, for fear of being punished by the regime’s intelligence service.

Further details of the detainees documented by SOHR by names and circumstances of their arrest could be summarised as follows:

• A man known by his initials as H. J. was arrested by regime security service, on September 22, in al-Nayrab camp for unknown reasons.

• Four men known by their initials as “A. S.”, “J. S.”, “A. K.” and “W. A.” were arrested by regime security service, on September 9, in Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood in Aleppo city. The regime security services asked the detainees’ families to pay 190 million Syrian liras in return for releasing them.

• A man known by his initials as A. M. was arrested by Liwaa al-Quds, on September 1, in al-Nayrab camp for unknown reasons.

• A man known by his initials as F. N. from Aleppo countryside was arrested by regime security service, on August 20, in Aleppo city for unknown reasons. The man was taken later to Sydnaya prison.

• Two men known by their initials as “N. K.” and “A. H.” were arrested by regime security service, on August 17, while they were passing through a checkpoint at the entrance of Aleppo city.

• A man known by his initials as A. K. from Afrin was arrested by regime security service, on June 19, in Aleppo city, and he was taken later to the state security branch.

• A dignitary of a tribe known by his initials as M. A. was arrested by regime security service, in early April, in Maskanah town in Aleppo countryside for unknown reasons.

It is worth noting that the alarming rise in arbitrary arrests in regime-held areas indicates to ongoing repression by regime forces and security services, despite the calls upon the Syrian refugees to return to their homeland which “has become safe”, as regime authorities claim.

Also, the Syrian Observatory would like to point out that the cases of arbitrary arrests mentioned in this report have been only the cases that SOHR activists could document by names, as this report does not include other cases arrested arbitrarily in different areas under the control of the Syrian regime and Iranian-backed militias in Aleppo province, whose names could not be obtained.

It is worth noting that many families prefer not to disclose details on their sons’ identities and circumstances of their arrest, fearing the reaction of regime security services in the case that the cases of their sons are circulated on social media.