In its comment on the assault on the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in the province of Hama and the destruction of Christian cemeteries in the city of Mahrda, the police of the new authority affirmed that such incidents are unacceptable.

“We have immediately taken the necessary measures and the perpetrators were arrested, and we have established a dialogue with the Archdiocese to assure it that such actions will not be repeated,” the police command stated.

Other sectarian incidents occurred in the provinces of Tartous and Latakia, where an Alawite Muslim minority lives, and the authorities there assured that all measures would be taken to prevent such offensive and violent incidents.

There were also reports of killing and abuse of former military personnel while they were on their way to pardon centers in the province of Homs and the town of Suqelbieh.

Through statements posted on social media, institutions and popular figures called for avoiding and criminalizing any speech that calls for discord and hatred, and urged preserving the fabric and cohesion between the different components of the Syrian people.

The new authorities in Syria assured that such crimes are individual and do not represent their policy or approach, which aims to preserve national unity.

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