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Sheltered by Russia… Coastal Displaced Persons Refuse to Leave Hmeimim for Fear of Reprisal
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The displaced people's refusal to leave the Russian base reflects a deep distrust in the security assurances of the new authorities and highlights the persistent fear of ongoing violations in the regi
The Russian-operated "Hmeimim" base hosted Amjad Sultan, director of Jableh district under the Syrian interim government, during his visit to citizens who had taken refuge there to escape the recent surge of violence and abuses sweeping the Syrian coastal region.
The official from the transitional government attempted to reassure those seeking shelter at the base, claiming that security had been restored in their villages and that the situation was now stable, just like in areas where other displaced persons had previously returned. This appeared to be a deliberate effort to obscure the ongoing violations in the region.
He further presented the so-called measures taken by the interim government to reinforce security and provide basic needs to ensure a safe and stable return of displaced residents, disregarding their genuine fears.
It is worth noting that the civilians sheltering in the Russian "Hmeimim" base have categorically refused to leave since their arrival, fearing death and retaliation, exposing the falsity of official claims regarding restored security.
In an attempt to improve its image, the security apparatus of the interim government claimed to be rehabilitating infrastructure. Work teams from the Transformer Station Maintenance Department in Latakia province alleged they were repairing transformers said to have been "sabotaged by remnants of the former regime" and "targeted by gunfire"—a justification for the damage inflicted on infrastructure during recent events.
Meanwhile, pro-government media claimed that gas operations had resumed at the "Sadcop" plant in Baniyas after days of suspension, attributing the shutdown to "attacks by remnants of the former regime," a clear attempt to justify the ongoing disruptions in basic services.
The interim government’s security forces continue their campaign to disarm civilians, claiming they had received around 600 light weapons from local dignitaries in rural Qadmous, Tartus province—a move aimed at tightening control over the region.
In Hama province, the government’s security agencies also claimed they had arrested an alleged "member of the remnants of the former regime involved in recent events" in the Wadi al-Oyoun area. However, observers believe such accusations are being used to justify arbitrary arrest campaigns targeting civilians.
Similarly, in Latakia province, the interim government’s security forces claimed to have received a cache of weapons from residents in the village of Ghaniri, near Jableh, under a prior agreement with local elders—an ongoing effort to strip civilians of arms to facilitate control over them.
