Public Security forces raided the village of Ba’abda in the countryside of Jableh, Latakia Governorate, western Syria, at dawn on Tuesday, April 20, 2026. This sudden security operation involved heavy gunfire, resulted in deaths and injuries, and led to the arrest of several civilians, amidst a state of fear and panic among the residents, the closure of schools, and the prevention of basic supplies from entering the village.
According to local sources, a security convoy entered the village of Ba’abda at 2:00 AM, where forces carried out raids targeting civilian homes. The operation was accompanied by heavy gunfire into the air, in addition to the storming of houses and the arrest of a number of residents.
The sources confirmed the arbitrary arrest of Nizar Shaheen and Ghaith Shaheen, both of whom are former officers. They also reported the killing of a young man, Yamen Shaheen, during the operation, as well as the death of a member of the Public Security forces.
Local testimonies indicated that gunfire preceded the forces’ entry into the targeted homes, which caused panic among the residents, especially given the lack of clarity regarding the nature of the security threat or the reasons for carrying out the operation at this time—noting that some of those targeted had previously undergone “settlement” agreements and were residing in their homes.
Following the raid, schools in the village closed their doors, and bread transport vehicles were prevented from entering, causing the humanitarian situation to deteriorate and increasing anxiety among the residents. Sources spoke of direct threats against the population, leading to the spread of fear and panic.
Official Authorities’ Narrative:
Conversely, the Syrian Ministry of Interior issued a statement announcing the execution of two security operations in the village of Ba’abda following a “precise monitoring operation.” The Ministry confirmed the arrest of a number of individuals described as “war criminals,” including:
Brigadier General Amir Youssef Suleiman Al-Hassan
Brigadier General (Staff) Ghaith Mohammed Suleiman Shaheen
Colonel Nizar Shaheen Shaheen
The Ministry stated that the operation also resulted in the “neutralization” of Yamen Aref Shaheen after he resisted the forces, noting the injury of one of its members who later died.
Preliminary Human Rights Assessment:
This incident raises a series of human rights concerns, most notably:
Carrying out arrests without judicial warrants or clear legal procedures.
The use of excessive force and gunfire in densely populated residential areas.
Civilian casualties occurring under unclear circumstances.
The imposition of a partial siege on the village and the restriction of access to basic necessities.
The direct impact on the right to education through the closure of schools.
Furthermore, the conflicting accounts between local sources and the official statement necessitate an independent and transparent investigation to determine responsibilities and ensure accountability.
The raid on the village of Ba’abda represents a concerning model of ongoing violations associated with security operations in civilian areas, including arbitrary arrests and the use of disproportionate force. This requires urgent human rights intervention to ensure the protection of civilians, halt violations, and hold those responsible accountable.
