Violations practiced against civilians in Homs countryside

Sectarian violations have escalated in the western countryside of Homs, including the killing of a Shiite civilian, arrests, kidnappings, and the desecration of cemeteries.

1 February, 2026 11:10

NEWS DESK

Over the past two days, the western countryside of Homs has witnessed an escalation in violations against members of the Shiite community, including killings, arbitrary arrests, and kidnappings, as the young man Adnan Subhi Kresh was killed after being shot by gunmen while working in farmland near the village of al-Mazraa, west of the city.

In a related incident, Mohamed Hammoud, 60 years old, was detained at al-Hashma checkpoint while passing with his family. He is from the town of al-Ghour al-Gharbiya, and his fate remains unknown.

Furthermore, armed groups from the Taldu area stormed the village of al-Ghour al-Gharbiya and carried out kidnappings and arbitrary arrests targeting a number of civilians, including Saeed Jardo, Hassen Kresh, and Hafez Samrou, in addition to the detention of women who were with them. Additionally, Shiite cemeteries in the villages of al-Mazraa and al-Hamidiya were vandalized, a development that has sparked anger and fear among the residents.