Forced Evictions in the al-Sumaria Neighborhood of Damascus: Disregard for Property Deeds and Violations Against Alawite Families

Forced Evictions in the al-Sumaria Neighborhood of Damascus: Disregard for Property Deeds and Violations Against Alawite Families

1. Introduction In August 2025, the al-Sumaria neighborhood on the outskirts of the Syrian capital, Damascus, witnessed a series of coercive measures that resulted in the large-scale displacement of Alawite families residing in the area. These measures were accompanied by restrictions on movement, discriminatory rhetoric, and raids involving inspections and identification of property, as well as the forcible removal of residents from their homes…