The province of Deir ez-Zor in eastern Syria witnessed an incident that has sparked widespread controversy following the circulation of a video on March 18, 2026. The footage depicts a young man, identified by publishers as transgender, while being detained by personnel affiliated with the Public Security Forces of the interim authority in Damascus.
The video, circulating on social media, shows the youth in a state of detention, while background voices—believed to be personnel or bystanders—are heard mocking him. This conduct raises serious questions regarding the treatment of detainees and the respect for human dignity, particularly in cases related to gender identity.
This incident occurs within a context of increasing indicators of restrictions on personal freedoms in areas under the control of the interim authority in Damascus. It was preceded days earlier by an official resolution issued by the Damascus Provincial Council on March 15, 2026, prohibiting the service of alcoholic beverages in restaurants and nightclubs within the city. This resolution triggered a wave of criticism, with observers viewing it as a further step toward imposing restrictions on personal lifestyles, despite being officially justified as a measure to maintain “public morals” and respond to what was described as “local community demands.”
Furthermore, this incident brings back to the forefront previous events, including video recordings published in February 2025 showing security forces belonging to the interim authority arresting several transgender individuals, documenting their exposure to physical assault and ill-treatment during detention.
These developments raise increasing questions about the nature of the policies pursued by the de facto authority in Damascus, and whether these incidents represent isolated occurrences or reflect a systematic trend toward imposing a social model based on a strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia. Observers believe that these measures, along with regulations governing public life, may indicate the gradual consolidation of a regime imposing broader restrictions on personal freedoms, amid the rise of a political faction known for its religious hardlining within the governance structure.
Human rights activists warn that the continuation of these policies could lead to the gradual erosion of fundamental rights, particularly those related to freedom of expression, the right to privacy, and non-discrimination. This necessitates international monitoring and precise documentation of any potential violations.
