In a new incident reflecting the continuation of violations against civilians, local sources and activists reported on 6 March 2026 that members of the General Security forces affiliated with the Interim Authority in Syria assaulted Mr. Abdul Hamid Al-Khalid and his son Mohammad in the town of Al-Mansoura in the countryside of Raqqa, northern Syria.
According to the available information, Mr. Abdul Hamid Al-Khalid (Abu Jihad), the principal of Al-Sukhna Al-Jadida School and originally from the city of Al-Sukhna, was accompanied by his son Mohammad while traveling along the Al-Hawra – Al-Mansoura road. During their passage, they encountered an unfamiliar mobile checkpoint established by a patrol affiliated with the General Security forces at an unusual location.
Sources stated that the driver did not notice the checkpoint due to its unusual placement, which resulted in the vehicle continuing to move forward. Consequently, the security patrol pursued the vehicle and stopped it. One of the personnel—accompanied by two other members providing cover—then proceeded to remove Mohammad from the vehicle and assault him physically while verbally insulting him, before directing any inquiry to him regarding the reason for not stopping at the checkpoint.
According to testimonies, the violation was not limited to physical assault but extended to include collective insults and abusive language targeting the residents of the city of Al-Sukhna, from which the two victims originate. In addition, members of the patrol issued general threats against the city’s residents. Sources further indicated that another security patrol arrived at the location and provided reinforcement to the personnel present, participating in the assault without conducting any investigation or inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the failure to stop at the checkpoint.
Mr. Abdul Hamid Al-Khalid attempted to intervene to stop the assault on his son. Several local residents and passersby who were present at the scene also intervened in an attempt to calm the situation and understand the reason behind such conduct. However, their attempts were met with no response from the security personnel, who continued their violent behavior.
This incident raises growing human rights concerns regarding the manner in which security patrols deal with civilians at temporary checkpoints, commonly known as mobile checkpoints, particularly in light of reports indicating the use of violence and humiliation without prior verification of the facts or consideration for the fundamental rights of citizens.
Local activists consider that what occurred constitutes a violation of the physical safety of civilians and their human dignity, calling for the opening of an investigation into the incident, holding those responsible for the assault accountable, and ensuring that such violations against civilian residents are not repeated.
