According to daily observation of SHNR, we noticed an alarming increase in the frequency of arrests and abductions by government forces across Syrian governorates after the west declared the possibility of a military strike against Syrian regime because of the horrible massacre in western Ghuota and eastern Ghouta in Damascus on 21/8/2013. The arrests concentrated in Damascus, Hama, And Latakia.
Since 26/8/2013, the Syrian authorities carried out widespread arrest campaigns, as they arrested more than 150 civilians on one day in Damascus city only. 90 civilians were arrested from Al Salihyeh the main market, and 46 civilians were arrested from Al Rifa’i yard. SNHR is unable to identify their fates at the time of this writing.
Moreover, government forces carried out widespread arrest campaigns in the suburbs of Hama in particular in Taybit Al Imam city against tens of civilians, no less than 70 individuals were arrested, without any charges.
In Latakia, the same scene was repeated by arrest of whole families in Al Raml Al Janobi neighborhood and a whole family in Bustan Al Hamami neighborhood.