Arbitrary dismissal, arrest campaign deepens Homs crisis

 Local sources reported that the Syrian Interim Government conducted a wave of arrests and issued arbitrary dismissal decisions against a number of Homs employees, further intensifying tensions in a city that is already unstable and increasing citizens’ sense of injustice and discrimination.

In this context, the Homs Directorate of Finance, which operates under the Interim Government, has come to resemble a security-oriented institution. Employees report the presence of between 50 and 100 armed men in civilian clothing inside the building, exerting psychological pressure on staff and visitors, creating an atmosphere of fear and distrust.

The sources indicate that the arrests targeted employees belonging to a specific sect and were accompanied by insults and psychological pressure that forced some to resign or receive forced dismissal orders. Documented cases include Ibrahim al-Ali, Ammar al-Ammar, and Bassem Taref, who were arrested and subjected to harsh conditions that caused them physical and psychological harm. Other names, such as Suleiman Khalouf, Ziyad al-Ali, and Soha Zeina, were also reported to have been placed under pressure to leave their jobs.

Within the Internal Oversight Department, employees spoke of clear discriminatory treatment, including professional marginalization, the rejection of transfer and leave requests, fabricated accusations, and unfair working conditions. On the administrative and financial side, biased practices were observed, including the illegal exemption of certain institutions and companies from taxes while heavy fines were imposed on others, with the “No Objection” office being used as a tool of pressure and extortion.

The sources also pointed to the hiring of academically unqualified individuals into sensitive positions, with preference given to people connected to Interim Government members or their spouses over qualified staff. These practices have raised serious questions about who controls key departments such as Administrative Development and the One-Stop Window, as well as about the level of corruption in the Real Profits Directorate and the credibility of tax records.

Residents of Homs believe these developments add another layer of complexity to the ongoing crisis.

A-H 

ANHA