Security Forces assault Afrin artists, smash their musical instruments

In an incident that sparked widespread outrage, folk artists Walat Hajji Nasser (40 years old) and his brother Mustafa Hajji Nasser (38 years old), both from the city of Afrin, were assaulted by members of the General Security forces on the Homs-Lebanon road.

31 July, 2025 22:48

NEWS DESK

The attack occurred on July 21 as the brothers were returning from performing at a wedding in Beirut.

According to the brothers’ account, they were subjected to insults and death threats before their musical instruments were smashed and confiscated under the pretext that "dancing and singing are acts of disbelief."

When they approached the General Security office in Aleppo to recover their equipment, they faced new threats of arrest and were informed that their instruments had been destroyed and that they had no right to inquire about them.

This assault represents a blatant violation of artistic freedom of expression and threatens the primary source of livelihood for the brothers, who rely on performing at social events, particularly in a community that celebrates folk arts as part of its cultural identity.

a.k

ANHA