Young Christian man sitting with friends harassed and beaten by pro-government security forces in Muhradah, Syria

MUHRADAH, Syria — A shocking incident has emerged from Muhradah, Hemto (Hama), where a young Christian man, Sami Reshan, reportedly endured severe violence at the hands of members of the Syrian Transitional Government’s (STG) internal security forces.

According to accounts received by our news desk, the incident occurred while Sami was sitting with friends, including two women, in a public area. Eyewitnesses claim the situation escalated after Sami identified himself as a Christian. He was allegedly singled out, brutally beaten, and subjected to verbal abuse.

A video circulating online depicts Sami bleeding and being harassed by an internal security force member wearing a uniform devoid of any identifying insignia. Witnesses reported that Sami’s nose was broken, his head forcibly shaved, and he was insulted with derogatory terms like “khanzeer” (pig). The attackers also accused him of engaging in illicit behavior, threatening to “chop his head off.”

The situation nearly turned fatal when the assailants reportedly attempted to throw Sami off Sharia Bridge. Intervention by other security forces prevented further escalation, and Sami is now receiving medical treatment.

This incident has drawn attention to the troubling presence of Sunni extremist elements within the ranks of the STG. Reports indicate these groups have increasingly targeted individuals with harassment, threats, and physical violence. Similar incidents have been documented elsewhere, including in Aleppo, where a Chechen individual was seen harassing a hijab-wearing woman, accusing her of immorality simply for not wearing a niqab, a practice deemed obligatory by some extremist interpretations of Islam.

The rise in sectarian violence, harassment, and discrimination since the establishment of the STG has sparked widespread concern. Many see this as an alarming indicator of the challenges facing Syria’s transitional governance, with extremist elements undermining efforts toward national unity and social harmony.

Calls for accountability and immediate reforms have grown louder in the wake of these incidents, with citizens and international observers urging the STG to address the infiltration of extremist ideologies within its forces and ensure the protection of all communities in Syria.