HTS militants launch attacks ‘every 10 minutes’ in Syrian minority cities amid media blackout: Report
The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants, who seized control of Syria earlier this month, are launching unrelenting attacks on minority-populated cities amid rampant looting, kidnapping and assassination, according to a new report.
“Every 10 minutes, an attack is reported, including incidents of looting, kidnapping, assassination, or abduction,” a report by the Iraqi Almaalomah news agency revealed on Monday, citing unnamed sources.
“These attacks, perpetrated by armed groups, are targeting minorities, particularly along the coast,” it further noted.
The militant group seized control of Damascus on December 8, culminating a swift offensive that had began in Aleppo just two weeks prior to that and ultimately brought an end to Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule.
The report by Almaalomah noted that numerous violations committed by HTS militants under Abu Mohammad al-Julani’s leadership have been documented, with some instances being carried out as “acts of revenge.”
Militants set fire to a Christmas tree in Syria's Suqaylabiyah.
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Additionally, it mentioned incidents of verbal abuse and harassment aimed at residents of Qardaha, Tartous, Latakia, and other areas.
It also revealed that media do not have access to approximately 90 percent of the facts on the ground in Syria due to the imposed information blackout.
“Over a span of just two days, six protests were recorded, indicating a potential rise in popular anger across Syria due to the significant violations committed by [so-called] al-Julani Brigades and their allied factions,” the report warned.
The HTS administration is facing mounting criticism as members of the militant group continue to disregard the group’s so-called pledge to respect minorities and their religious sites and sanctities within the country.
In recent days, disturbing videos have surfaced from Syria, revealing horrific acts of violence perpetrated by militants against minorities.
The acts include brutal shootings and throat-slashing, with those deemed to be close to Assad facing particular targeting.
On Thursday, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch in Syria announced the cancelation of Christmas and other New Year celebrations, citing “current security conditions” after the fall of Assad’s government.
The announcement came as gunmen opened fire at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Hama on Wednesday, and graves at a nearby cemetery were vandalized.
The attack followed the vandalism of Hagia Sophia Greek Orthodox Church of Suqaylabiyah on December 12.
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