Sectarian Crime in Damascus Suburbs: Brutal Killing of a Young Shia Man in Ghazlaniyah Sparks Outrage

Sectarian Crime in Damascus Suburbs: Brutal Killing of a Young Shia Man in Ghazlaniyah Sparks Outrage
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A young Shia man was brutally murdered in the Ghazlaniyah area near Damascus in what rights groups describe as a sectarian-motivated crime.

According to the Syrian Center for Documentation of Human Rights Violations, the attack represents a clear example of organized sectarian violence targeting the Shia community.

The center reported that armed groups affiliated with Abu Mohammad al-Jolani assaulted a Shia civilian identified as Attaallah al-Qattan, firing 14 bullets at him and killing him instantly.

News outlets described the incident as “violent and shocking,” noting that it reflects deep-rooted sectarian hatred and deliberate targeting of innocent civilians based on their faith.

The documentation center emphasized that this was not an isolated incident, but rather part of a systematic campaign of targeted assaults against Shia residents in the outskirts of Damascus. The aim, it said, is to instill fear, create psychological pressure, and ignite sectarian tensions among communities.

The organization held armed factions and their leaders, particularly Jolani, fully responsible for these crimes, as well as any parties that support or conceal such acts.
It called on international institutions to launch an immediate investigation and ensure legal accountability for those involved. The center also urged for humanitarian and legal protection for Shia civilians living in affected areas.

Human rights experts warned that the continuation of such violence could seriously threaten Syria’s social stability and deepen divisions among its diverse communities.

They stressed that legal action and international support for victims are essential to addressing this growing sectarian crisis.