Authorities in southern Syria have stepped up efforts to curb violence fueled by the widespread presence of unlicensed weapons. The Internal Security Command in Daraa launched a campaign in early September to confiscate arms across the province after a surge in assassinations, robberies and stray-bullet deaths.
Security officials said most killings were carried out in “drive by” attacks by gunmen on motorcycles or in unmarked cars, targeting former faction leaders, activists and civilians. The first week of September included the attempted assassination of Munif al-Qaddah, a former Ahrar al-Sham commander, and the killing of a lawyer who once served on a Sharia committee.
According to the Houran Free League (HFL), 52 people were killed in 80 assassinations and attempted assassinations during the first half of 2025. Another 47 people, including five children and eight women, died from stray bullets, tribal disputes and uncontrolled weapons.
Legal Action and Public Warnings
Internal Security Command announced regulations banning the display or use of firearms at public gatherings, warning that violators will face “deterrent legal action without leniency.” The force urged residents to cooperate with authorities by reporting armed activity.
Criminal law attorney Ammar al-Khatib described the problem as “one of the most serious challenges to civil peace.” He said the unlawful possession of weapons, particularly when linked to assassinations, constitutes “domestic terrorism” under Law No. 14 of 2022, which carries sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
Arrests of Former Regime Figures
Meanwhile, security forces continue pursuing remnants of the Assad regime accused of war crimes and terror operations. In Latakia, Internal Security arrested Obada Mustafa Abdurahim, accused of displacing civilians and carrying out massacres in Idlib, the Ministry of Interior said in a statement.
Brig. Gen. Abdulaziz al-Ahmad, head of Latakia’s Internal Security Forces, confirmed the September 4 arrest of Jaafar Safir Ali al-Saloum, a figure alleged of many crimes including espionage for foreign groups.
In Idlib province, security services detained Saher al-Hassan, a former Air Force Intelligence officer accused of torture, kidnappings and extrajudicial killings in Homs. The Interior Ministry said testimonies linked him to extortion schemes and participation in regime-aligned militias.
Counterterrorism Efforts in the East
In Deir Ezzor, Internal Security units arrested an ISIS leader known as Abu Hussein al-Idari on September 7, according to Nahar Media. Investigators said he handled logistics and payments to the families of fighters killed in battle. The arrest followed an August 22 suicide attack on a security checkpoint in Mayadeen killing an officer.
Vladimir Voronkov, UN under-secretary-general for counterterrorism, told the Security Council last month that ISIS remains an active threat, seeking refuge in Syria’s desert areas, warning that poor conditions in displacement camps risk fueling extremism.
From Daraa to Deir Ezzor, security operations underscore the government’s attempts to restore order after years of conflict. Officials stress that regaining control over weapons and prosecuting those linked to past crimes remain essential to ensuring long-term stability.
