Unknown gunmen execute seven civilians in regime-held areas in Al-Raqqah desert

SOHR activists have documented a new massacre against civilians in  areas controlled by 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 take care of the fire and took no action. No confirmed details have 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 took place in areas held by regime forces and loyalists. At least seven civilians were   executed by two unidentified gunmen. The bodies of the executed civilians were found in Ma’adan’s Al-Bariyeh area in Al-Raqqah countryside.

While on January 14, Observatory activists reported that a second 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 shepherding their cattle, were found in Ayyash desert, which is controlled by regime forces and Iranians in western of Deir Ezzor. No information was reported about the perpetrators’ identity, amid accusations that the shepherds were killed by pro-Syrian regime militias.

SOHR reported on January 7 that uncertainty surrounded the identity of the perpetrators of the mass execution in south-eastern desert of Al-Raqqah. According to SOHR sources, it was not confirmed whether the massacre was carried out by ISIS members or by militiamen loyal to Syrian regime.

It is noteworthy that the massacre claimed the lives of 21 civilians, they were all shackled and executed by firing squad on January 4, while grazing cattle in Al-Sabkhah Desert in south-eastern countryside of Al-Raqqah. Three shepherds have been still facing an unknown fate after losing contact with them following the gruesome massacre.