Assaults on Peaceful Protesters in Baniyas, Latakia, Jableh, and Homs

Several Syrian cities, including Baniyas, Latakia, Jableh, and Homs, witnessed incidents of assaults against peaceful protesters, according to local and human rights sources, during attempts to hold protest gatherings calling for an end to violations and the guarantee of civil and political rights.

The sources reported that the al-Qusour neighborhood in the city of Baniyas, the al-Ziraa Roundabout in the city of Latakia, as well as the city of Jableh and the al-Zahraa neighborhood in Homs, saw interventions by groups described as supportive of the transitional authority, alongside elements of the General Security apparatus and groups affiliated with what are known as the “Civil Peace” committees, with the aim of preventing protesters from gathering.

At al-Ziraa Roundabout in Latakia, the sources spoke of intervention by General Security elements against a number of protesters, which included physical assaults on some of them, in addition to preventing media activists from filming and documenting the events. In the al-Qusour neighborhood of Baniyas, the sources indicated that a group wearing security attire assaulted young men who were attempting to reach the protest site.

The sources also reported assaults involving beatings and arrests in the al-Zahraa neighborhood of the city of Homs, targeting a number of participants in the protests.

This comes amid the continuation of protests in several areas, following calls for peaceful demonstrations launched by Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, head of the Supreme Alawite Islamic Council. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that dozens of people responded to the call and took part in peaceful demonstrations, amid tight security measures that included the establishment of checkpoints and thorough inspections.

At the same time, al-Ziraa Roundabout in Latakia witnessed gatherings of supporters of the transitional authority under security protection, while activists said this contributed to limiting residents’ participation in the protests. Despite the heavy security presence, participants in the demonstrations affirmed their commitment to peaceful protest and their right to freedom of expression.

The sources also reported the chanting of slogans and offensive phrases against Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal during the events, while protesters attempted to continue their peaceful actions despite efforts to disperse them and prevent documentation of what occurred.