اخبار سوريا اليوم – وطن نيوز
سوريا اليوم – اخبار سوريا عاجل
W6nnews.com ==== وطن === تاريخ النشر – 2026-05-15 16:08:00
As-Suwayda Governorate has witnessed a widespread state of security chaos and killings during the recent period, as several killing incidents were recorded in different areas of the governorate, varying between direct shootings, or criminal incidents resulting from personal disputes, in addition to cases linked to attempts at theft or settling accounts. This escalation was not limited to recording new numbers of victims, but rather created a general state of anxiety and fear among the people, who now feel that security is no longer guaranteed, and that any detail in their daily lives may turn into an incident of violence. Avoiding disputes became a forced option, for fear that they would develop into the use of weapons. This state of security instability is not new, and was not only a direct result of the events of last July, but rather is an extension of previous accumulations that were not addressed until it became a situation that is difficult to contain. Its causes are due to the uncontrolled spread of weapons, weak control of the law, the multiplicity of local armed groups and gangs, in addition to social and family factors. In this report, Enab Baladi monitored the most prominent killing incidents that the governorate has witnessed since the beginning of this year, to analyze their patterns, and to determine the causes and factors that contribute to their recurrence. This report was based on testimonies from local residents, a journalist, a civil activist, and a lawyer, all of whom requested that their names not be revealed, for security reasons. Random and wrong use of weapons Incidents of uncontrolled use of weapons are one of the most prominent manifestations of violence in the governorate, as several injuries and deaths were recorded as a result of the absence of safety rules and the spread of weapons within the reach of the majority, whether inside homes or in public places. These incidents are no longer isolated individual cases, but rather reflect the absence of sufficient awareness of the danger of weapons. In late January, Tariq Suleiman Hamza, a man in his sixties, was shot in the head while cleaning a weapon inside his home. The death of the young man, Ahed Nofal, was also recorded last February, as a result of the incorrect use of a weapon, which resulted in him being shot in the chest. Incidents were not limited to individual use, as civilians may be injured as a result of random shooting without direct targeting. Zain Al-Abidin Haider Hussein was injured while on the roof of his house by an unknown source in the eastern countryside of the governorate. Other injuries were also recorded near the “Al-Basha” (formerly Al-Basil) roundabout in the city center, as a result of gunfire in the air by a group of people without knowing the reasons for this act. According to Abu Asaad, one of the owners of drinks shops near the site, this roundabout has witnessed similar cases previously. These incidents contributed to creating a state of panic among his customers or others in the neighborhood, as he recounts that in two separate incidents, the windows of his shops were broken by stray bullets. Abu Saad calls for “conducting patrols to ensure the security of the roundabout.” Another incident on May 9 claimed the life of the child Nour Ghabra (10 years old) in the village of Dhibin, after he was shot from a hunting rifle inside the house, amid speculation that the incident resulted from tampering with the weapon. Hand grenades…a rising danger. Hand grenades have emerged as one of the most dangerous sources of threat, with repeated incidents of their explosion as a result of tampering or misuse, which greatly raises the level of danger, compared to individual weapons, due to their ability to cause mass casualties. In late January, a bomb explosion in the industrial zone in the city of Suwayda led to the killing of two children, Sultan Badran and Ward Al-Barouki, and the injury of six others, as a result of the tampering of a group of children and young men. Local sources believed at the time that it was the result of war remnants. Similar incidents were repeated, as the young man Rayan Abu Hamdan was killed last April as a result of the explosion of a bomb he was in possession of near the Kanaker Junction, west of the city, and Alaa Ghazlan was seriously injured last January 29 as a result of an accidental bomb explosion. A hand grenade exploded while Saida Hindi Barjas, from the village of Baka, was cleaning her house, leading to her death. Personal Disagreements and Direct Violence Some incidents reveal the transformation of individual disputes into armed confrontations, as disputes are no longer resolved through social or legal mediation, but rather weapons have become a quick and direct option. Last January 23, Adham Hadi Shujaa was injured by several gunshot wounds as a result of a financial dispute, while Wahab Nihad Elba was injured in a separate incident in the city of Shahba for unknown reasons. Last February 24, the teenager Fahd Naji Al-Shaarani was killed by a gunshot to the head following an unknown dispute that broke out between him and another group, in an incident that reflects the escalation of violence and its reach to young age groups. Last March 23 witnessed the killing of Muhammad Shafiq Al-Fares and his son Nizar Al-Fares, who were killed inside their home in the town of Ariqa, at the hands of one of their relatives, Yahya Al-Fares, who was later killed in an ambush set up by relatives of the victim. Engineer Munir Al-Bahri was also killed in mid-April, after he was exposed to gunfire while he was in his car by unknown gunmen who fled, leading to his immediate death. A dispute also broke out between the people of an ancient city on April 24, which led to casualties and the death of a young man from the Azzam family. In addition, killings and injuries were recorded, the circumstances of which are still unclear. Maha Salman Al-Masry died at the beginning of the year after being shot in the neck. While the young man, Hassan Murshid, died at the end of last April, as a result of several gunshot wounds following a family dispute in his home. Mysterious incidents with possible political backgrounds. There were conflicting accounts about the young man, Enad Makarem, being hit by a gunshot, last April 14, that landed in his face. It was stated that it was the result of a personal dispute or a political background. The incident came one day after Makarem posted a video clip on his personal Facebook page, accusing the “National Guard” and what is known as the “Security Office” of exploiting the people’s suffering, while the ambiguity surrounding the incident continues. On the other hand, there are incidents whose backgrounds are still blurry, including those that occurred at the end of 2025, and which sparked widespread controversy about the possibility that some of them were linked to political backgrounds or critical public positions. One of them is the incident of the arrest of Sheikh Raed Al-Matni at the hands of the “National Guard,” and then his body arrived at a hospital in Suwayda bearing traces of torture, which sparked a state of anger and popular resentment, amid demands to uncover the circumstances of the incident. Anwar Fawzat Al-Shaer was also killed in the village of Busan after being shot, days after he published posts criticizing local factions on Facebook, without any official confirmation linking the two incidents. In addition, a local journalist spoke to Enab Baladi about incidents that were recorded, the circumstances of which remained ambiguous amid a complete cover-up of their details, pointing to cases of suicide that were kept secret and described as being due to the incorrect use of weapons, but Enab Baladi was not able to verify this information. Murders related to theft were also present in the scene of violence, as murders linked to robbery attempts were recorded, in light of the deteriorating economic conditions and high poverty rates, which made some robbery attempts turn into fatal attacks. On February 2, the young man, Walid Farraj Al-Shoufi, died as a result of his injuries after being assaulted by unknown assailants who attempted to steal his motorcycle, in an incident that reflects the transformation of the theft into deadly violent crimes. In another incident, Rayma Al-Khatib Abu Fakhr was injured at the beginning of last January by a gunshot during a clash that broke out during an attempt to arrest those accused of theft, before she later died from her injury, which highlights the occurrence of civilian victims in the context of armed events, even when they are not a direct party to them. These events prompted some citizens to refrain from purchasing motorcycles, due to the increase in theft incidents and related assaults. According to what citizens told Enab Baladi, the fear is no longer limited to losing the bike only, but also of the possibility of being attacked or robbed while using it, which prompts people to abandon the idea despite the need for it as a less expensive means of transportation. An organization that creates chaos and fear. Manifestations of tension are not limited to incidents of direct assault, as cases of shooting into the air have been recorded as a result of daily disputes, including disputes over the organization of floors, whether on gas stoves or ovens, or even during events and celebrations, without taking into account the presence of civilian families or children. “Salha D,” a resident of the city of As-Suwayda, narrates that she returned one day without getting bread after a fight broke out in the queue that developed into the drawing of weapons, so she was forced to take her daughter and return for fear that she would be hit by stray bullets. She describes the security reality in the governorate as “fragile,” as any simple friction could turn into an armed confrontation. For her part, another woman adds that attending events has also become worrying for her, because “in one moment, joy can turn into consolation,” as she puts it. In April, the incident of the attack on the Directorate of Education and random shooting in front of the building emerged as “the most humiliating incident,” as one of the employees described it, considering that it affected an educational institution that is supposed to stay away from tensions and disputes. Following the incident, the Internal Security Command of the National Guard announced that it had initiated legal and security measures, after a number of employees filed official reports, confirming that those involved in the incident would be pursued. In light of the presence of local forces in the governorate, represented by Internal Security, the file of gun control and prosecution of those involved in killing incidents is still the subject of criticism from residents, who see the absence of measures to limit their recurrence. 20 violent incidents during 2026. From the beginning of the year until the report was prepared, Enab Baladi’s correspondent monitored at least 20 violent incidents, including those that resulted in deaths or serious injuries. One of the lawyers, speaking to Enab Baladi, said that the deterioration of living and social conditions may push some individuals, in some cases, to illegal behavior or to resort to violence as a means of survival. Civil activist Salam Kh points out that the ease of the spread of weapons and explosive materials among civilians, especially among young age groups, reflects manifestations of neglect and weak societal control, in the absence of firm measures or effective awareness campaigns. Also contributing to the complexity of the scene and the widening of the problem is the weak control over the sources of the sale of these materials, as local data indicate an increase in their circulation outside official frameworks, whether through some commercial stores or through social media platforms without any control over the seller or buyer, which increases the difficulty of reducing this worsening phenomenon and doubles the possibility of similar incidents occurring on an ongoing basis, especially among children and adolescents. In addition, the impact of previous tensions that developed following the events of July to the current reality cannot be overlooked, as the spread of multiple uncontrolled local factions contributed to weakening institutions and creating an unstable environment. In the absence of clear indicators of any imminent improvement, fears remain that this escalation will continue, especially with the multiple types of violence and their expanding scope, which threatens the safety of civilians and deepens the state of anxiety in the local community. Suwayda after July 2025.. A conflict of legitimacy and a crisis of living. Related
