Human Rights Network: Escalation of Revengeful Violence Incidents in Qatna
The "Syrian Network for Human Rights" reported an escalation of violence in the city of Qatna in the countryside of Damascus, between May 29 and June 1, 2025, following the killing of a security officer by suspected armed individuals, triggering a retaliatory wave that resulted in the killing of three civilians, including a doctor, and attacks on private properties.
Beginning of Events: Killing of a Security Officer in an Armed Ambush
On May 29, officer Jameel Moumena (Abu al-Walid), a leader in the internal security apparatus affiliated with the transitional government, was killed in a gunfire by an armed group believed to be linked to a drug smuggling network, near the village of Aisam in Mount Sheikh area. The incident occurred during a security ambush targeting the network, as part of a campaign to counter its growing activities.
Retaliatory Wave: Abduction and Killing of Civilians and Property Destruction
According to the network's documentation, the incident was followed by a series of retaliatory attacks, where the Druze youth Majd Kaboul (28 years old) from the village of Arna in May 30 was abducted by unknown armed individuals in Qatna, and his body was found the next day without details on the cause of death. Also, on the same day, the Alawite doctor Rafat Asper was abducted from the village of Wadi al-Qal'a in Latakia, and his body was later found without information on the discovery location or cause of death.
In a separate incident, unknown armed individuals raided the house of Nadim al-Zaghloul (56 years old) from the village of Rakhla, where they assaulted him, stole his car before kidnapping him, and his family was informed on June 1 of finding his body in a hospital.
Additionally, the attacks targeted commercial shops that were set on fire and vandalized, amidst indications of retaliatory and discriminatory motives.
Violations of International Rights
The network confirmed that these actions _including extrajudicial killings, abductions, and property destruction_ violate Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to life, and constitute a breach of protections against enforced disappearance according to the United Nations principles.
Government Responsibility and Urgent Demands
The network held the transitional government responsible for conducting an immediate and impartial investigation, ensuring that perpetrators do not escape punishment, calling for transparent investigations into the crimes of murder and abduction, compensating the victims, and disclosing the facts to the public opinion. It also called for urgent measures to protect civilians from violence and retaliation, prevent incitement to hatred, and regulate media discourse.
The human rights network emphasized the need to strengthen the rule of law and social cohesion through calming initiatives and dialogue to contain tensions in the transitional phase.
