Claims Circulated about Militants Entering Maaloula and Forcing Locals to Choose Between Paying Jizya or Exile

This investigation was translated using artificial intelligence,the original language is Arabic

Personal accounts and public pages on Facebook and X, as well as some websites, have circulated claims stating that militants affiliated with the new Syrian administration stormed the town of Maaloula in rural Damascus, assaulted its residents, and forced the expulsion of the Christian-majority population in order to establish an Islamic Emirate.

According to these claims, the militants also allegedly gave civilians the choice of either paying jizya or leaving their property behind and fleeing, amidst an internet blackout in the town.

Verify-sy Investigation

The team at "Verify-sy" reached out to local residents of Maaloula to verify the events and assess the validity of the circulating claims. Over the past three days, our team collected numerous testimonies from well-known town residents, but they preferred to remain anonymous to avoid any potential harm or accusations of bias toward one side, as both parties involved are from the same town.

Therefore, "Verify-sy" wishes to state that it has recorded all the testimonies it has gathered and is ready to provide them to any independent entity that guarantees they will not be used in a manner that could harm the witnesses or put them at risk.

According to the testimonies, the videos that initially spread, claiming to show militants from the new Syrian administration entering the town, were actually videos filmed by the locals celebrating the return of previously displaced people to Maaloula.

Regarding the events that followed, tensions flared in the town between several local residents due to a personal dispute that escalated into a confrontation, resulting in the death of Abdul Salam Diab at the hands of Ghassan Al-Zakhm, also known as "Ghassan Layla." Ghassan Layla was a former thug affiliated with the ousted regime forces, according to the testimonies, and he refused to surrender his weapon.

The murder incident sparked tensions in the town, leading some of the killer's relatives to flee Maaloula and head to Damascus, fearing retaliatory acts driven by revenge, not because of any forced displacement to establish an Islamic Emirate as claimed.

Following the incident, military administration forces moved into Maaloula to enforce security, took the perpetrator Ghassan Al-Zakhm into custody, and referred him to the relevant authorities. They also conducted a sweep of the town in coordination with local residents to ensure tensions did not escalate or lead to further retaliatory acts.

In the same context, sources affiliated with the military operations administration confirmed that the events in Maaloula were intended to incite sectarian strife and disrupt public security, warning that strict legal measures would be taken against those spreading these rumors.

Important Note

"Verify-sy" would like to confirm that it is actively following all messages and inquiries from the public regarding news and videos recently circulating, claiming to document violations or acts of violence by militants affiliated with the transitional Syrian authority. The platform clarifies that the verification process is time-consuming and requires a large team and many resources, which the organization currently lacks. Efforts are being made to understand the context of each incident before confirming or denying it.

In this regard, the platform reiterates its call for the public’s cooperation in reducing the spread of incitement based on partially or entirely misleading information by refraining from circulating it. The platform also reaffirms its commitment to standing by the truth and maintaining its full independence, values it has upheld since its founding eight years ago.