Latest news with #SarayaAnsaral-Sunna
Gulf Insider
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Insider
Sectarian Purge Masked As 'Wildfire' Under Syria's New Govt
Less than four months into its rule, Syria's interim government is under mounting pressure, as each crisis—natural or security-related—casts doubt on its ability to govern and maintain control. The recent wildfires that tore through northern Latakia were no seasonal accident. They broke out as sectarian killings escalated and suspicions of state complicity grew. The blaze behind the purge Never before in Syria had an armed group claimed responsibility for a natural disaster. That changed when Saraya Ansar al-Sunna announced it was behind fires that spread through the Qastal Ma'af region, explicitly stating that the arson attack 'led to the fires spreading to other areas, forcing the Nusayris [Alawites] to flee their homes, and causing a number of them to suffocate.' The statement came just three days into the blazes and only weeks after the same group had claimed responsibility for the June 22 bombing of Mar Elias Church in Damascus' Douweila neighborhood. That attack had sparked a rare public dispute between the Interior Ministry and Saraya Ansar al-Sunna. While the ministry blamed ISIS and paraded an arrested cell, the group named a different perpetrator, Muhammad Zain al-Abidin Abu Uthman. Despite vowing to release confessions to back its version, the ministry has remained silent. Anas Khattab—former Al-Qaeda commander and Nusra Front co-founder, now serving as interior minister—only deepened the contradictions during his visit to the fire zone. He insisted there was 'no evidence' of arson, even as his own ministry investigated suspects. Khattab's refusal to acknowledge Saraya Ansar al-Sunna suggests that Damascus still considers it a phantom—a position reinforced when ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba publicly dismissed it as 'imaginary' during a press conference after the church bombing. At the same time, some Alawites believe that Interior Minister Khattab is using Saraya Ansar al-Sunna to carry out attacks against Alawites, Christians, and other minorities, while maintaining plausible deniability. Coordinated chaos and forced displacement In Latakia's coastal hinterlands, fear was already running high. Many villages had yet to recover from the violence of March, when security raids and sectarian killings devastated entire communities, leaving behind charred homes and mass graves that remain under-reported by official channels. Only months ago, bloody confrontations claimed 2,000 lives across the region. Locals, mainly from the Alawite community, saw these events as the culmination of a systematic purge under the new regime. A wave of targeted killings, kidnappings, and violence had left communities deeply scarred. Just days before the fires erupted, the murder of two brothers working as grape leaf pickers, along with the kidnapping of a girl, sparked widespread protests in the Al-Burjan and Beit Yashout areas in the Jableh countryside. These demonstrations, amplified by diaspora voices, coincided almost to the hour with the first outbreaks of fire, feeding widespread suspicion that the flames were a diversion or smokescreen. On the same day this call was issued, the spread of fires in the Latakia countryside forests began to attract media attention. The Qastal Ma'af fire—the most intense and destructive—was explicitly claimed by Saraya Ansar al-Sunna. Although the group declared it aimed to displace Alawites, some affected villages housed significant Sunni Turkmen populations. Later, the group issued a cryptic clarification: 'The burning of Sunni villages is attributed to Nusayri groups, and this is in the context of the ongoing, raging conflict.' Local sources tell The Cradle that the fire consumed large swaths of forest and farmland, displacing entire communities. Despite the government's dismissals, few believe this was a coincidence. Denial and deception by Damascus Rather than confront the threat, the Interior Ministry downplayed the human hand in the fires. Observers suggest this was a deliberate choice to avoid validating Saraya Ansar al-Sunna's claim—and to prevent inflaming sectarian tensions. But some in the Alawite community accuse Ahmad al-Sharaa's government of weaponizing fire as a tool of demographic engineering. They point to circulating videos of security forces, Sunni Bedouin groups, and even Turkish-plate vehicles setting fires to Alawite lands. One Alawite source explains to The Cradle : 'The Alawites rely on their land and employment, while Sharaa seeks to bring about a demographic shift in the coastal region. His aim is to strangle the Alawites and kill them, forcing them either to flee the country or remain amid ongoing cases of murder, abduction, and arson. The objective is clear: displacement and the destruction of every source of livelihood.' The source adds that on July 9, in the town of Al-Haffa in Latakia, a small fire broke out. Thirty young men rushed to extinguish it—all around 21 years old—including nine Alawites. After the fire was put out, the nine Alawite young men were arrested and mysteriously disappeared. Firefighting aircraft drop water over burning forests in Syria's Latakia province as wildfires continue to spread for the 10th consecutive day near the Turkish border.#fires #syria #latakia #wildfires #firefightingBy @lynesammouri — This is Beirut (@ThisIsBeirut_) July 13, 2025 When their families asked the local authorities regarding their whereabouts, the only response they received was: 'We transferred them to Latakia.' Demographic warfare under the cover of fire Many Alawites believe Turkey seeks to effectively annex parts of the Syrian coast to seize maritime gas reserves, and that attacks by Turkmen and Uighur militants loyal to Damascus are designed to provoke pleas for Turkish protection. Historically, arson has not been random in Syria. In 2020, the former government arrested 39 individuals for setting coordinated fires across Latakia, Tartous, Homs, and Hama—allegedly financed by a 'foreign party.' Last year, vast fires scorched Wadi al-Nasara in Homs and later spread to Kasab near the Turkish border. Then-Governor Khaled Abaza admitted, 'The multiplicity of fire outbreaks strongly suggests that they were intentional, as between 30 and 40 fires broke out in a single day in various areas of the governorate, especially those rugged areas that are inaccessible to vehicles.' He continued, 'A search was launched for two vehicles believed to belong to the arsonists.' The pattern of politically timed arson is now impossible to ignore. Every major fire in the past five years has coincided with key political milestones such as regime transitions and outbreaks of sectarian unrest, pointing to a deliberate strategy masked as environmental catastrophe. While poverty and illegal logging are the usual explanations for Syria's seasonal fires, deeper motives have taken shape. Intelligence services are reportedly scouring Latakia's forests for buried weapons stockpiles. Foreign militaries are surveying the terrain for future base sites. Coastal land developers are eyeing scorched villages for luxury tourism projects. And behind it all, Israel remains a constant agitator, stoking sectarian flames for its own expansionist agenda and to further undermine the Resistance Axis. If anything, the ministry's insistence on ruling out human involvement in this year's fires has further eroded public trust. In a country exposed to endless covert operations, the official version of events cannot withstand scrutiny. In Latakia, what's burning isn't just land—it's the last hope that post-Assad Syria might survive this transition intact. Also read: Syrians Fear Israel Normalization Could Trigger Another Countrywide War
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Syria: IS splinter group behind church bombing
Syria: IS splinter group behind church bombing (Image: AP) On Tuesday, the Islamic State (IS) splinter group Saraya Ansar al-Sunna (Brigade of Sunni Supporters) claimed responsibility for the deadly Sunday bombing of a Greek Orthodox Church in the Syrian capital, Damascus. The incident happened when a member of the group blew himself up at the doors of the Saint Elias Church in the Christian-Sunni Muslim neighborhood of al-Dweilaa during Sunday mass, killing 25 people and injuring another 63. The group released a social media post claiming the attack was triggered by unspecified "provocations by Christians in Damascus." In March, a dispute took place at the church when residents complained about Islamic chants being blasted from a car in front of the building. The group is said to have been behind various sectarian threats and attacks targeting Alawites, Christians, Druze and Shiite Muslims. It is also accused of involvement in March massacres that rights groups say killed as many as 1,700 mostly Alawite civilians. Islamists call government claims 'untrue, fabricated' On Monday, Syria's new government claimed that IS had been behind the attack and announced that it had "dismantled" the cell responsible for it. Authorities said they seized explosives, suicide vests, mines and ammunition during raids that resulted in six arrests and two suspects being shot dead. Syria's Interior Ministry said its investigation into the matter was ongoing and that all perpetrators would be brought to justice. Saraya Ansar al-Sunna promptly took to the messaging app Telegram to reject the government's claim, calling it, "untrue, fabricated." Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, which was formed after the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad, warned, "What is coming will not give you respite… our soldiers... are fully prepared." Sunday's attack was the first in a Christian church since the start of Syria's civil war in 2011, according to the UK-based group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has also been targeted by the group. Pope Leo XIV offers prayers for hope, healing and peace Pope Leo XIV, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, expressed his deep sorrow over the incident on Tuesday. A statement issued by the Vatican called for peace in Syria. Further, the statement said Leo was praying for those injured, as well as for the souls of those killed in the attack. Prayers were also offered to God that he provide hope and healing for the Syrian people. Though 10% of Syria's population was once Christian, that number has dropped considerably as a result of war and persecution. Those Christians who remain tend to live in mixed communities in the major cities of Damascus and Aleppo
Qatar Tribune
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Group claims responsibility for Syrian church bombing
DamascuscTypeface:> A little-known group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunna (Brigade of Sunni Supporters), claimed responsibility on Tuesday for the deadly suicide bombing that struck a church in the south of Damascus, killing at least 25 worshippers and injuring 63. In a statement released on its social media platforms, the group claimed the assault was retaliation for what it described as 'provocations by Christians in Damascus.' It threatened further attacks, including suicide operations. Previously, the group had issued sectarian threats targeting Christians, Alawites, Druze and Shiite Muslims. It has claimed responsibility for a February attack on the village of Arzeh in Hama province and has threatened individuals linked to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (DPA)
LeMonde
24-06-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
Syria: Little-known jihadist group claims Damascus church attack
A little-known Sunni Muslim extremist group claimed responsibility on Tuesday, June 24, for a weekend suicide attack against a church in Damascus, while the Syrian government insisted they were part of the Islamic State group. Sunday's attack killed 25 people and wounded dozens, striking terror into Syria's Christian community and other minorities. A statement from Saraya Ansar al-Sunna said an operative "blew up the Saint Elias church in the Dwelaa neighbourhood of Damascus," adding that it came after an unspecified "provocation." Syria's Islamist authorities, who took power after ousting longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, had quickly blamed the attack on the Islamic State group and announced several arrests on Monday in a security operation against IS-affiliated cells. IS did not claim responsibility for the attack. The spokesman for the interior ministry, Noureddine al-Baba, said, during a press conference on Tuesday, that the cell behind the attack "officially follows Daesh," adding that Saraya Ansar al-Sunna was " not independent (...) as it follows Daesh." Daesh is the Arabic acronym for IS. Baba also said that the church attacker was not Syrian, without specifying his nationality, and came to Damascus with another suicide bomber from the al-Hol camp in the northeast, which hosts displaced people and relatives of IS members. Baba said it could be "just an IS front group." The Saraya Ansar al-Sunna statement, on the messaging app Telegram, said the government's version of events was "untrue, fabricated." 'Heinous crime' At the funeral of some of those killed in Damascus's Holy Cross Church, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East John X called the attack an "unacceptable incident." Addressing Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the patriarch said "the heinous crime that took place at Mar Elias Church is the first massacre of its kind in Syria since 1860," referring to the mass killings of Christians in Damascus under the Ottoman Empire. "We refuse for these events to take place during the revolution and during your honourable era." Sharaa had called the patriarchate's adviser to send his condolences, an act John X called "insufficient." Assad's government had portrayed itself as a protector of minorities, who were subject to numerous attacks claimed by jihadist groups during the 14-year civil war. The new authorities have repeatedly pledged to protect minorities, despite the eruption of sectarian violence on multiple occasions in recent months. The suicide bombing followed massacres of members of the Alawite sect to which Assad belongs and clashes with Druze fighters. The bloodshed has raised concerns about the government's ability to control radical fighters who took part in Assad's overthrow.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Shadowy extremist group claims Damascus church attack
A little-known Sunni Muslim extremist group claimed responsibility on Tuesday for a weekend suicide attack against a church in Damascus, while the Syrian government insisted they were part of the Islamic State group. Sunday's attack killed 25 people and wounded dozens, striking terror into Syria's Christian community and other minorities. A statement from Saraya Ansar al-Sunna said an operative "blew up the Saint Elias church in the Dwelaa neighbourhood of Damascus", adding that it came after an unspecified "provocation". Syria's Islamist authorities, who took power after ousting longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December, had quickly blamed the attack on the Islamic State group and announced several arrests on Monday in a security operation against IS-affiliated cells. IS did not claim responsibility for the attack. The Saraya Ansar al-Sunna statement, on the messaging app Telegram, said the government's version of events was "untrue, fabricated". The spokesman for the interior ministry, Nureddine al-Baba, said during a press conference on Tuesday that the cell behind the attack "officially follows Daesh", adding that Saraya Ansar al-Sunna was " not independent... as it follows Daesh". Daesh is the Arabic acronym for IS. Baba also said that the church attacker was not Syrian, without specifying his nationality, and came to Damascus with another suicide bomber from the al-Hol camp in the northeast, which hosts displaced people and relatives of IS members. Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi, a Syria-based analyst and researcher, said Saraya Ansar al-Sunna could be "a pro-IS splinter originating primarily from defectors from HTS... and other factions but currently operating independently of IS". Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is the Islamist group headed by Syria's now-President Ahmed al-Sharaa that led the overthrow of Assad. Baba said it could be "just an IS front group". Citing a source within the group, Tamimi said a disillusioned former HTS functionary headed Saraya. He added that its leadership included a former member of Hurras al-Din, an Al-Qaeda affiliate that announced in January it was dissolving on the orders of the new government. - 'Heinous crime' - At the funeral of some of those killed in Damascus's Holy Cross Church, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East John X called the attack an "unacceptable incident". Addressing Sharaa, the patriarch said "the heinous crime that took place at Mar Elias Church is the first massacre of its kind in Syria since 1860", referring to the mass killings of Christians in Damascus under the Ottoman Empire. "We refuse for these events to take place during the revolution and during your honourable era." Sharaa had called the patriarchate's adviser to send his condolences, an act John X called "insufficient". To ululations and tears, nine white coffins were carried into the church, amid a heavy security presence in the area. "These events are fleeting and have no value in history," teacher Raji Rizkallah, 50, told AFP. "Christianity is a deeply rooted and permanent part of this land, and extremists are heretics." Assad's government portrayed itself as a protector of minorities, who were subject to numerous attacks claimed by jihadist groups during the 14-year civil war. The new authorities have repeatedly pledged to protect minorities, despite the eruption of sectarian violence on multiple occasions in recent months. The suicide bombing followed massacres of members of the Alawite sect to which Assad belongs and clashes with Druze fighters. The bloodshed has raised concerns about the government's ability to control radical fighters who took part in Assad's overthrow. HTS was once affiliated with Al-Qaeda before breaking ties in 2016. mam-lg/nad/dcp
