The Syrian Transitional Government (STG), in coordination with the Command of Military Operations (CMO) and the Ministry of Interior, has initiated a large-scale security operation in the city of Homs. The campaign targets remnants of the ousted Assad regime, war criminals, and individuals evading justice, as well as seizing hidden caches of weapons and ammunition.
Wide-Scale Operation in Homs
The operation, which began Thursday, focuses on neighborhoods including Wadi al-Dhahab, Akrama, Al-Abbasiyah, Al-Sabil, Al-Zahraa, and Al-Muhajireen. Residents in affected areas have been urged to remain indoors and cooperate with security forces until the conclusion of the combing efforts.
“We are completing a comprehensive sweep of Homs to locate and apprehend those who refused settlement offers or continue to possess illegal weapons,” said a military official from the CMO.
The Ministry of Interior emphasized that the operation is critical to restoring security and ensuring all individuals submit to the new transitional legal framework. “This campaign is about accountability and justice for those who have committed crimes or destabilized the region,” a ministry spokesperson said.
Arrests and Discoveries
The campaign has already resulted in significant arrests, including individuals implicated in the 2012 Karm al-Zaytoun massacre, where 22 civilians, including women and children, were killed. Security forces also uncovered drug manufacturing and packaging laboratories previously operated by Assad’s Fourth Division.
Additionally, General Security Service (GSS) officers apprehended Muhammad Nour al-Din Shalhoum, who was involved in disabling security cameras and stealing files from Sednaya prison before its liberation. Shalhoum and his family have also been linked to drug production and trafficking, including the manufacturing of Captagon in cooperation with Lebanese Hezbollah elements.
Avoiding Escalation
Before launching the operation, the STG opened settlement centers to encourage voluntary disarmament and compliance with transitional justice procedures. However, not all individuals accepted the offers, prompting the current military response.
“We coordinated with community leaders and distributed warning leaflets to avoid escalation, but many individuals refused to surrender,” the CMO official added.
The campaign extends beyond Homs, with ongoing efforts in Tartous and Latakia to arrest high-ranking former regime officers and militia leaders. Those targeted include senior figures such as Brigadier General Imad Mahyoub, former head of multiple security branches, and members of the Assad family.
Restoring Order & Justice
Residents in Homs expressed relief at the caretaker government’s actions, although tensions remain high. “We need justice for the atrocities committed by the regime’s remnants,” said a local activist in Wadi al-Dhahab.
The STG pledged to continue its operations until all neighborhoods are cleared of criminal elements and hidden weapons. “This is a pivotal step in our mission to ensure accountability and build a stable, unified Syria,” said an official from the Ministry of Interior. The STG has called for international cooperation in holding former regime members accountable for their crimes, as part of broader efforts to establish justice and security in post-Assad Syria.
