The Syrian Future Movement is following with deep concern the security developments that took place in the town of al-Harmushiyah, in the western countryside of Deir ez-Zor, on Saturday, October 17, 2026. According to media and human rights reports, these events were accompanied by a wave of arrests involving approximately 58 local residents—including elderly individuals, community notables, and civilian figures—following popular protests against the construction of a building within the grounds of the town’s cemetery.
Reports have included allegations that gunfire was directed at the protesters, as well as claims that interference and favoritism influenced the security response to the incident. Conversely, other local accounts suggest that security patrols were subjected to an armed attack, resulting in injuries to two personnel. Given these conflicting reports, an independent and transparent judicial investigation is both a national and legal necessity—one that must avoid prejudgment or the adoption of a single narrative before the facts have been verified.
Guided by our national responsibility, our steadfast commitment to defending public rights and freedoms, and our desire to foster trust between citizens and the institutions of the Syrian state, the Syrian Future Movement asserts the following:
First: The right to peaceful protest and the protection of human dignity.
Second: The rejection of collective punishment and arrests not based on individual evidence.
Third: The necessity of investigating the root cause of the dispute, rather than focusing solely on its security-related consequences.
Accordingly, we emphasize the need to verify the legal status of the land, the validity of any permits or approvals—if they exist—and the extent to which the sanctity of the cemetery and the public rights of the local residents have been respected. We also warn against the dangers of any personal, administrative, or security-related interference—should any such interference be proven—that might influence the course of the investigation or shield any party from accountability.
Fourth: Institutional responsibility and the necessity of preventing the recurrence of errors. The Syrian Future Movement recalls its statement issued on April 24, 2026, regarding the death of citizen Ahmed al-Ayada al-Dayeh, from the al-Harmoushiya area, while in custody. In that statement, we called for an independent judicial investigation, strengthened oversight of detention centers, and the prevention of any practices that perpetuate a culture of impunity.
We believe that the repeated mention of this area in reports concerning detention and alleged violations warrants special attention from judicial and oversight authorities. This is essential to address any potential institutional flaws and to prevent the buildup of grievances and the erosion of public trust.
In light of the above, the Syrian Future Movement calls upon the competent authorities to take the following actions:
- Initiate an urgent and independent judicial investigation into the events in al-Harmoushiya, encompassing all involved parties without exception, and make the findings public.
- Disclose the actual number of detainees, their places of detention, and the reasons for their arrest; ensure they have access to their families and legal counsel; and release anyone whose continued detention lacks a legal basis.
- Investigate allegations regarding gunfire and threats directed at a media professional, and ensure the protection of witnesses and whistleblowers against any pressure or retaliatory measures.
- Verifying the legality of the construction in question, halting any unlawful building activities, and upholding the sanctity of the cemetery as well as the rights of the local residents.
- Implementing judicial oversight of security operations and holding accountable anyone found to have exceeded their authority or abused their power—while simultaneously ensuring the rights of security personnel who may have been subjected to assault.
- Strengthening communication between internal security leadership, local notables, and community representatives, thereby enabling the resolution of disputes through legal institutions and preventing them from escalating into security crises.
The Syrian Future Movement asserts that building a new Syrian state is not achieved merely by changing the authorities or institutions; rather, it requires transforming the nature of the relationship between the state and the citizen—shifting from a culture of fear to a culture of rights, and from the logic of raw power to the power of the law.
We reiterate that the Syrian Revolution was not directed solely against specific individuals, but against an entire system of tyranny, abuses, and the absence of justice. Honoring the sacrifices of the Syrian people demands that the very practices they rose up against—by whomever they may be committed—are never repeated.
Furthermore, we affirm our support for all legitimate security efforts aimed at protecting citizens and maintaining stability, while upholding the right of society to monitor the performance of its institutions and hold them accountable in accordance with the law.
