Rebuilding Security in New Syria: Week 3

Tracking the spread of new security forces and security incidents in post-Assad Syria, December 23-29

Announcements of security deployments mostly in western Syria, with an emphasis on the minority regions, as well as credible claims of looting and killings. Content is categorized as deployment, crime, statement, arrest, operation - you can use ctrl-f to quickly navigate for relevant events. This weekly update is intended to provide base level data for more holistic research into the rebuilding of the security and governance structures of post-Assad Syria. Direct links to primary sources provided throughout. Any events missed in previous weeks will be added to subsequent publications.

• Aleppo

• Damascus

• Coast

• Homs

• Hama

This week saw the spread of security operations into the Homs, Hama, Tartous, and Latakia countrysides, as well as the first major protests across Alawi communities. Serious fighting broke out in southern Tartous, but General Security Forces continue to arrest and kill important local criminals formerly allied to the regime, which appears - for now - to have reduced tensions somewhat. Sectarian tensions are improving in places like Latakia and Tartous cities, but security forces continue to film themselves severely beating prisoners which is only exacerbating fears among local populations.