Nearly 300 arrested as Syrian de facto government cracks down on Assad loyalists: monitor

In a significant crackdown, Syria’s new authorities have arrested nearly 300 individuals, including informants, pro-regime fighters, and former soldiers, following the ousting of former president Bashar Assad by militants from the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), Arab News reported. This operation, initiated by the new administration, aims to consolidate control after more than five decades of Assad family rule.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that arrests occurred in various cities including Damascus, Homs, Hama, Tartus, Latakia, and Deir Ezzor. Among those detained were former regime informants and pro-Iranian fighters, with accusations of involvement in killings and torture. Notably, General Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, former head of military justice under Assad, was arrested for overseeing thousands of death sentences.

The crackdown has reportedly involved local cooperation, with security forces seizing weapons and ammunition during the operation. Videos circulating on social media purportedly show armed men abusing detainees and executing some immediately after detention, although the authenticity of these images remains unverified.

Anas Khattab, the newly appointed head of General Intelligence, has vowed to reform the security apparatus, condemning the previous regime’s corruption and tyranny.