The Syrian government has launched a crackdown on senior officials loyal to the ousted President Bashar al-Assad, including former military justice official Mohammed Kanjou al-Hassan, amid growing unrest in various regions of the country. The move suggests that the new administration is stepping up efforts to pursue top members of the Assad regime amid demands for justice and accountability.
Government forces have been searching for al-Hassan since at least one attempt to arrest him on Wednesday sparked deadly clashes in the western region around Tartus, a stronghold of Mr. al-Assad’s Alawite minority. The hunt has resulted in the deaths of 14 government forces loyal to the former regime.
The unrest is linked to protests by members of the minority Alawite sect, who have taken to the streets in cities like Latakia and Homs over concerns about their rights. Protests also broke out in Damascus after a Christmas tree was burned, heightening fears of sectarian strife.
The government has vowed to restore security and stability in areas affected by unrest, while also implementing measures to prevent sectarian division. This includes banning content with “a sectarian character that seeks to spread division.” The new administration faces a central challenge in balancing the pursuit of justice and accountability with maintaining law and order in a country still reeling from years of conflict.
The hunt for al-Hassan reflects the Syrian government’s efforts to consolidate power and address long-standing grievances among minority communities. As the country transitions towards a new governance system, concerns about persecution and sectarian violence remain, highlighting the need for careful balancing of competing interests.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/26/world/middleeast/syria-rebel-forces-hunt-assad-loyalists.html