"Some commentators described the murders as motivated by sectarian hatred and blamed the new Syrian government. Others blamed remnants of the Assad regime, who want to inflame community tensions. But further investigation later found that one of the dead men was known to be associated with an Assad-affiliated militia responsible for the deaths of as many as 700 people during the country's 14-year civil war."
"It's unlikely anybody will find out exactly what happened anytime soon. But one thing is clear this is not the only such incident in Syria recently, nor will it be the last. Vigilante violence in Syria is on the rise. Over the last two weeks of August, one observer estimated that 36% of over 70 violent deaths recorded were due to targeted killings, or vigilantism. This figure has recently been as high as 60%."
A year after the overthrow of Bashar Assad, vigilante violence has increased across Syria. In October, two men were shot dead in the Christian-majority village of Anaz in Homs province by assailants on a motorcycle. Initial explanations ranged from sectarian hatred blaming the new government to claims that Assad remnants sought to inflame tensions. Investigation later found one victim linked to an Assad-affiliated militia accused of up to 700 deaths during the 14-year civil war. Many young men in Anaz backed the regime while nearby Qalaat backed revolutionaries, suggesting revenge. Observers estimated that targeted killings accounted for 36% to 60% of recorded violent deaths in recent periods.
Read at www.dw.com
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