Incident Summary:
In an event reflecting the ongoing security complexities and territorial fragmentation in Syria, forces affiliated with the Damascus authority (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham) prevented travelers coming from northeastern regions of the country from continuing their journey to the capital, Damascus.
The road was closed at the Zakiyah checkpoint on the Homs route, with passage restricted to very specific categories. Travelers were subjected to procedures that included photographing and fingerprinting — a move interpreted as an arbitrary measure restricting freedom of movement between areas.
Documented Information:
Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025
Location: Zakiyah checkpoint on the Athriya–Homs road, Syria
Perpetrating Party: Forces affiliated with the Damascus authority (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham)
Victims / Affected Individuals: Travelers from northeastern Syria (areas under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces – SDF) heading to Damascus. Reports indicate that the travelers were residents of Kurdish-led regions, suggesting that their ethnic and political identity (as people coming from opposition-held, Kurdish-majority areas) was the common factor and likely reason for their denial of passage.
Nature of the Violation: Restriction of movement and mobility, discrimination based on geographic/political origin, imposition of collective restrictions, and collection of personal data (photographs and fingerprints) without clear legal justification.
Forces affiliated with the Damascus government have closed the road to travelers coming from northeastern #Syria (the area under #SDF control) to #Damascus.
— Rights Monitor (@rightsmonitor.bsky.social) October 12, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Forces affiliated with the Damascus government have closed the road to travelers coming from northeastern Syria (the area under SDF control) to Damascus.
— Rights Monitor (@rightsmonitor.bsky.social) October 12, 2025 at 6:51 PM
المقالة بالعربية: قوات تابعة لسلطة دمشق تغلق الطريق أمام المسافرين من شمال شرق سوريا إلى دمشق
