Syrian Security Forces Conduct Eviction Raids in Alawite Suburb Al-Somaria, Marking Homes with “X” and “O”
In late August 2025, Syrian security forces carried out extensive eviction operations in the predominantly Alawite Damascus suburb of al-Somaria, marking homes with “X” and “O” symbols to designate which residents could stay and which had to leave.
The raids, part of efforts to address long-standing property disputes tied to the Assad regime’s legacy, triggered a mass exodus, reducing the population from approximately 22,000 to 3,000 within a week, according to Reuters.
Between August 27 and 29, Syrian security forces led by an interior ministry commander known as Abu Hudhayfah conducted door-to-door eviction raids in al-Somaria, a rundown suburb historically controlled by the Assad family and home to many families of former Assad soldiers. Authorities spray-painted large black “X”s and “O”s on houses to indicate which residences were deemed legal (“X”) and which were slated for eviction (“O”), according to local residents and neighborhood committee members.
Residents were ordered to provide proof of ownership, and those unable to do so immediately were given eviction notices demanding they vacate within 48 hours. Many homes marked with “O” also displayed official eviction orders issued by the so-called Public Housing Committee of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, a body with no previous public record. Some residents who presented documents were told their papers were invalid as they dated back to the Assad era.
The raids caused widespread panic, prompting the majority of the suburb’s population to flee, fearing violence similar to that experienced by Alawite communities in coastal areas earlier this year. Reports also surfaced of interrogations and detentions, with some residents subjected to beatings.
Al-Somaria was seized by the Assad family in the 1970s and redistributed to loyalist families, displacing Sunni residents. The new Syrian government, established after Assad’s fall in December 2024, has acknowledged the complex history of property expropriation and pledged to resolve disputes fairly, though forced evictions have continued.
The area is now a near ghost town, with security forces restricting access amid plans for major infrastructure projects, including a $2 billion metro line that will feature a transport hub in al-Somaria. Human rights experts have condemned the forced evictions as violations of international law, urging the government to respect residents’ rights and pursue inclusive urban planning solutions.
