Local sources reported that an armed faction raided the village of Al-Khandaq, located in the Sahl al-Ghab area of the western Hama countryside, on the morning of April 7, 2026. During the operation, several young men from the Alawite sect were arrested without clear charges, following reports of their recent return from Lebanon.
According to available information, the raid and subsequent arrests were accompanied by gunfire within the village, causing widespread panic among the civilian population. Additionally, acts of looting were reported, targeting money and private property from the homes of the detainees.
As documented, the detainees belong to a single family and have been identified as:
Nassim Habib
Waleem Habib
Tamim Habib
Samir Habib
Samer Habib
Alaa Habib
Nawras Habib
Mohammad Habib
Ali Habib
As of the time of reporting, there is no precise information regarding the entity responsible for the operation, nor is there information concerning the fate or current whereabouts of the detainees.
This incident falls within an escalating pattern of violations targeting civilians on sectarian grounds in Syria. These actions—which include arbitrary detention, intimidation, and the violation of the sanctity of private homes—constitute a clear breach of international human rights standards, particularly the rights to liberty, personal security, and the protection of private property.
