News Center – Syrian cities are witnessing an escalating wave of arrest campaigns and security raids carried out by the General Security Forces and agencies affiliated with the Syrian interim government, amid growing fears of civilians being targeted on ethnic or political grounds.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 69 arbitrary arrests have been recorded since the beginning of April until May 12, distributed across the cities of Raqqa, Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Tartus, Latakia, and Deir ez‑Zor, involving men, women, lawyers, and content creators.

Most cases were concentrated in Raqqa and the Aleppo countryside, where a number of civilians were detained on charges related to "dealing with the Syrian Democratic Forces" or "loyalty to the Autonomous Administration." Others were arrested for participating in Newroz celebrations or due to social media posts.

Information indicates that young men from the Kurdish component were stopped at security checkpoints, in addition to arrests of returnees from Lebanon or those who had recently returned to their areas.

Violent raid campaigns in the coast and Hama countryside

The Observatory noted in its report that areas in the Syrian coast and the Hama countryside witnessed raids accompanied by house destruction, theft of money and gold jewelry, in addition to beatings, intimidation, and the arrest of young men from their homes, including minors.

In the countryside of Homs, Hama, Tartus, and Latakia, according to the Observatory, General Security Forces carried out surprise raids in several villages and towns, resulting in the arrest of civilians from the Alawite community, causing concern among residents, especially with reports that some detainees were subjected to insults and beatings during detention.

Among the cases that garnered wide attention was the arrest of a 20‑year‑old woman in Homs, simply because she was the wife of a detainee held by General Security. Her mother appeared in a video recording appealing for her release, affirming that she had no involvement in any political or security activity.

Human rights organizations have also documented the arrest of civilians without explanation of reasons or presentation of judicial warrants, in addition to the confiscation of cars and personal belongings during some raids.

These developments are causing growing concern among residents and human rights organizations, as arrest campaigns continue and clear information about the fate of many detainees remains unavailable. Residents are demanding disclosure of detention locations and respect for legal procedures and civilian rights, amid fears that the circle of arrests will expand to include broader segments of society.