Incidents of Anti-Shiism, October 2025

Shia Rights Watch issues its monthly report highlighting the most prominent human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims from October 1st to November 1st,2025.

This report details various terrorist operations carried out by extremist groups against Shia Muslims, as well as instances of oppression and abuse by certain governments and regimes.

SRW relied on both its own sources and public sources, such as individuals and human rights groups active in the countries where violations occurred.

SRW notes that it refrained from mentioning some violations due to the absence of conclusive evidence, despite being certain of their occurrence in some countries, emphasizing that it does not seek political or profit goals in its work, but rather aims to achieve justice and equality aspired to by human societies.

Countries (Alphabetically):

Pakistan

30/10/25 Killing of a young man in Karachi:
A terrorist group affiliated with the banned organization Sipah-e-Sahaba assassinated Azadar Adel by gunfire in the Orangi district of Karachi.

Bahrain

03/10/25 Ban on Shia congregational prayer:
Security authorities continued to prohibit the Friday congregational prayer at Imam al-Sadiq Mosque in Diraz for the 53rd consecutive week.

10/10/25 Continued ban on Shia congregational prayer:
Authorities maintained the ban at Imam al-Sadiq Mosque in Diraz for the 54th consecutive week.

13/10/25 Sentencing of minors:
A Bahraini court issued prison sentences ranging from six months to one year against seven detained minors for participating in popular protests.

The detainees are identified as: Mohammad Hussain, Sayyid Hashim Raed, Mohammad Aqeel, Yahya Abdul Hassan, Ali Habib, Nasrallah Jaafar, and Jawad Hussain.

15/10/25 Sectarian dismissal of Bahraini workers:
Human rights sources revealed that several national companies dismissed Bahraini Shia workers on sectarian grounds, replacing them with foreign workers from other sects.

17/10/25 Continued ban on Shia congregational prayer:
Security authorities continued to prevent the Friday prayer at Imam al-Sadiq Mosque in Diraz for the 55th consecutive week.

24/10/25 Continued restriction on religious gathering:
Authorities maintained the ban at Imam al-Sadiq Mosque in Diraz for the 56th consecutive week.

29/10/25 Arrest of dismissed protester:
Security forces arrested Mohammad al-Sankis, a citizen previously released by royal pardon, after he demanded reinstatement in his former position at the Ministry of Public Works.

31/10/25 Ongoing prohibition of Shia congregational prayer:
Security forces continued the ban on the unified Shia prayer at Imam al-Sadiq Mosque in Diraz for the 57th consecutive week.

Lebanon

02/10/25 Two killed and one injured in Israeli drone strike:
The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that two people were killed and one injured in an Israeli drone strike targeting a vehicle in southern Lebanon.

07/10/25 Air airstrikes cause casualties:
Three individuals were killed and three others injured in two air raids targeting the areas of Siddiqin and Deir Aames.

11/10/25 One killed and seven injured in Israeli strikes:
The Ministry of Health announced that one person was killed and seven others wounded, including two women, in intense Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon.

Syria

04/10/25 Body of kidnapped man found:
The body of Majd Khalil, a resident of the al-Sumariya district, was discovered on a roadside in Damascus after being kidnapped several days earlier.

05/10/25 Young man found dead in Hama:
The body of Hassan Mahmoud Ismail from Wadi al-Ayoun – al-Sindiyana was found inside a water well near the Masyaf bakery in Hama countryside.

06/10/25 Attack on journalist and her father in Latakia:
Armed men stormed the home of journalist Batoul Ali and her father in Damsarkho, firing directly at them and injuring both.

07/10/25 Assassination of physical therapist in Homs:
Marwan Hadid, a physiotherapist from al-Muhajireen district, was shot dead by men wearing “General Security” uniforms in the al-Shurta neighborhood of Homs.

07/10/25 Teacher killed in Homs:
Layal Dammar Gharib, a schoolteacher, was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen in front of Waleed al-Najjar School in the Jib al-Jandali area.

07/10/25 Death under torture in Homs:
A young man from the Karam al-Louz neighborhood died under torture in a government detention center after being forcibly disappeared earlier this year.

08/10/25 Shrine burned and looted in Homs:
Militias affiliated with the Ministry of Defense burned and looted the shrine of Sheikh Saeb, a revered Alawite site in rural Homs.

08/10/25 Young man found beheaded in Tartous:
The body of Alaa Saeed Dairko was found decapitated in his home in Dweir Sheikh Saad, Tartous countryside.

08/10/25 Child kidnapped in Latakia:
Mohammad Qais Haidar, son of a university professor, was abducted while heading to school in the Tenth Project area of Latakia by unknown assailants.

09/10/25 Abduction and assault in Homs:
Armed men affiliated with General Security stormed the home of lawyer Mujd Ali Madah, kidnapped his father, and assaulted family members.

09/10/25 Murder after abduction in Hama:
Nidal Ahmad Salloum from al-Mahrousa village was killed after being abducted shortly after leaving the Criminal Security Branch in Hama.

09/10/25 Nurse missing in Latakia:
Ali Nabil Mahmoud, a nurse working in Ras al-Basit, disappeared under unknown circumstances.

10/10/25 Civilian shot in Aleppo countryside:
Ahmad Hamza, a Shia civilian from al-Zahraa, was injured by gunfire from unknown assailants while herding livestock.

11/10/25 Sectarian slogans in Sayyida Zainab:
Extremist groups roamed the streets of Sayyida Zainab chanting anti-Shia slurs and inciting sectarian hatred.

12/10/25 Explosions and curfew in Sayyida Zainab:
Unknown attackers threw grenades near al-Sadr Hospital, prompting heightened security and curfews.

12/10/25 Street renamed to sectarian figure:
Authorities renamed Iraqis Street in Sayyida Zainab to Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan Street, an act viewed as provocative and offensive to Shia residents.

14/10/25 Sectarian graffiti threats in Homs:
Threatening slogans, including “We will slaughter your children,” signed by a group called Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, were found on school and home walls.

14/10/25 Lebanese citizens kidnapped near border:
Two Lebanese men were abducted by armed groups in Housh al-Sayyid Ali on the Syrian–Lebanese border.

15/10/25 Man killed in Latakia countryside:
Rabea Hamisheh was shot dead by armed men in al-Dabika, near Qardaha.

15/10/25 Woman found dead in Tartous:
A woman’s body was discovered bound and murdered on the Tartous seafront.

16/10/25 Shia man killed in Sayyida Zainab:
Mustafa Fadel Alabi, a resident of al-Zahraa, was shot dead in the Ghurba district of Sayyida Zainab.

18/10/25 Father killed, son wounded in Homs:
Nasser Mohammad al-Issa (56) was killed and his son Faiz (25) critically injured by gunfire while working at their street stand in Wadi al-Dahab.

19/10/25 Shia man killed in Sayyida Zainab:
Ghayath Shaqoul was shot dead by gunmen who broke into his home.

20/10/25 Alawite civilian killed in Homs:
An unidentified Alawite man was shot dead outside his house in al-Habbal Street.

21/10/25 Religious shrine bombed in Baniyas:
A terrorist group blew up the shrine of Sheikh Mohammad al-Sannouri, a respected Alawite cleric.

23/10/25 Doctor robbed and threatened in Damascus:
Two men in security uniforms robbed a doctor in al-Amin neighborhood, threatening him after demanding $5,000 “donation” for Idlib hospitals.

23/10/25 Man kidnapped in Latakia:
Salah Othman (70) was abducted outside his home in Mashrou’ Yasin by men in a Kia vehicle.

24/10/25 Suspects in Shia killing released:
Authorities released Ammar and Ahmad al-Haj Ghazi, detained for allegedly killing a Shia man in al-Zahraa, Aleppo.

25/10/25 Raid and assault in Homs countryside:
General Security forces raided Ain al-Khadra village, beating women and arresting several men.

25/10/25 Alawite man found murdered in Latakia:
Thaer Abu al-Shamlat was found shot dead behind Ibn Hani Mosque after being missing overnight.

28/10/25 Remains of five people found in Homs:
Civil defense discovered remains of five unidentified persons, including a woman and child, in a sewage pit in Aabel village.

28/10/25 Shia man missing in Homs:
Abdullah Ahmad Hannawi, from al-Foua, disappeared near al-Salam Resthouse.

28/10/25 Engineer assassinated in Homs:
Dr. Fouad Mohammad Darbouli, an energy engineer, was shot dead while en route to his workplace at Jandar Power Station.

29/10/25 Home raid in Damascus countryside:
Security forces stormed the house of al-Sheikh family in Zakiya, al-Kiswah district, breaking in without warrant and terrorizing residents.

30/10/25 Sectarian raid in Damascus:
Armed groups under the Ministry of Defense raided al-Zahriyat district, a majority-Alawite area, beating and insulting 25 young men with sectarian slurs.

31/10/25 Young man killed in Aleppo:
Mahmoud Issa, from rural Jableh, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen.

Saudi Arabia

09/10/25 Execution in al-Awamiyah:
Authorities executed Mohammad Hussain al-Ammar, a resident of al-Awamiyah, Qatif.

20/10/25 Execution in Tarout:
Authorities executed Abdullah Mohammad al-Derazi from Tarout Island, Qatif.

22/10/25 Appointment of extremist cleric:
The government appointed Salih al-Fawzan, known for issuing fatwas inciting violence against Shia Muslims, as a senior religious authority.

27/10/25 Execution in al-Awjam:
Authorities executed Jamal Abdullah al-Mubarak, a detainee from al-Awjam, Qatif.

Iraq

22/10/25 Two shepherds executed by ISIS in Karbala:
ISIS militants kidnapped and executed two shepherds while they were tending livestock near al-Nukhayb in western Karbala.

Summary and Human Rights Context:
The documented incidents represent ongoing violations of Article 18 (freedom of religion and belief) and Article 3 (right to life and security) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Systematic targeting of Shia civilians, suppression of religious freedoms, and discriminatory practices indicate entrenched sectarian bias across several states.

Incidents of Anti-Shiism, September 2025

Shia Rights Watch issues its monthly report highlighting the most prominent human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims from September 1st to October 1st,2025.
This report details various terrorist operations carried out by extremist groups against Shia Muslims, as well as instances of oppression and abuse by certain governments and regimes.
SRW relied on both its own sources and public sources, such as individuals and human rights groups active in the countries where violations occurred.
SRW notes that it refrained from mentioning some violations due to the absence of conclusive evidence, despite being certain of their occurrence in some countries, emphasizing that it does not seek political or profit goals in its work, but rather aims to achieve justice and equality aspired to by human societies.

Countries (Alphabetically):

Afghanistan

09/10 – Taliban deletes university curricula contradicting its Sharia:
The Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education announced major changes to Afghan university programs, canceling 18 courses, reviewing 201 others, and banning 679 academic books across various disciplines, claiming they violate Islamic Sharia and the Islamic Emirate’s policies.

The ban also targeted certain Islamic jurisprudence and theology texts that diverge from the Taliban’s religious interpretation. Scholars confirmed some banned texts were even part of Sharia colleges, suggesting a broader effort to suppress differing religious viewpoints.

Pakistan

09/03 – Deadly bombing at political gathering:
A bomb planted near a political event in Quetta killed over 15 people and injured dozens, including children.

09/24 – Father killed, daughters injured in Kurram:
A takfiri armed group ambushed a family vehicle on its way to Parachinar, killing the father, Zahid Hussain, and seriously injuring his two daughters.

09/24 – Four injured in train bombing:
Four people, including a child, were wounded when terrorists detonated a roadside bomb targeting the Jaffer Express near Spezand.

Bahrain

09/05, 09/12, 09/19, 09/26 – Friday prayers blocked at Imam al-Sadiq Mosque:
For the eleventh consecutive month, Bahraini authorities imposed a security lockdown on the town of Diraz to prevent Shia citizens from holding central Friday prayers at Imam al-Sadiq Mosque.

09/25 – Female educator arrested for exposing corruption:
Authorities arrested former teacher Lulwa Al-Benali after she posted a video exposing administrative and moral corruption in a state institution. The video detailed how a human resources director exploited his position by soliciting sexual favors in exchange for jobs.

Lebanon

09/03 – One killed in Israeli airstrike:
An airstrike between Ansariyeh and Adloun killed one civilian and wounded others.

09/11 – One killed, five injured in Israeli strike:
The Health Ministry reported one death and five injuries from an Israeli airstrike in the south.

09/16 – One killed, 13 injured (including four children) in airstrike:
Israeli raids killed one person and injured 13, among them four children, in southern Lebanon.

09/19 – One killed, three injured by Israeli drone:
A drone targeted a car in Tibnin, resulting in one death and three injuries.

09/21 – Five killed (including 3 children), 2 injured in Bint Jbeil:
An Israeli airstrike on Bint Jbeil left five dead and two wounded, most victims were children.

Syria

09/01 – Body of detainee found:
The body of young man Ali Ibrahim al‑Khadir, from the village of Buwayda al‑Salmiya east of Homs, was found inside a hospital with a gunshot wound to the head. He had previously been arrested by the so‑called General Security in January.

09/01 – Man killed in al‑Mazra‘a village:
Citizen Hassan Mahdi al‑Hajji from the village of al‑Mazra‘a in rural Homs was killed after being shot by gunmen on a motorcycle affiliated with General Security.

09/01 – Arrest of elders in al‑Ghawr village:
An armed group linked to what is called General Security arrested the municipality head Ahmed al‑Haj Ahmed and engineer Ahmed Hammoud.

09/02 – Raid on Husayniya in Sayyida Zainab; attendant arrested:
So‑called General Security forces raided a Shia place of worship in Sayyida Zainab (rural Damascus), vandalized its furnishings, and arrested the Iraqi attendant Aqeel al‑Iraqi.

09/02 – Body found a day after arrest:
The body of engineer Ali Mohsen Ibrahim from Boulis village in southwestern rural Hama was found a day after his arrest by General Security while working at a cattle farm in Musa al‑Hawla.

09/03 – Arrest campaign in Qarn village:
General Security forces arrested five young men from Qarn Hila village near Jableh in rural Latakia after raiding their homes.

09/04 – Three killed in Hama:
Gunmen in a car opened fire on members of the Aloush family — displaced from Fu‘a in rural Idlib — in front of a shelter in Hama, killing brothers Ahmed and Haider Aloush and the young man Sabri Alawi; a man and a woman nearby were wounded.

09/05 – Raid, torture, and arrest in Tartous:
An armed group affiliated with General Security raided the home of Khidr Nasr in al‑Hamidiya, verbally abused his family, shot him in the legs, and then took him along with his father and brother to an unknown location.

09/06 – Attacks on Iraqi truck drivers:
General Security forces attacked several Iraqi truck drivers at the border for displaying sacred Shia imagery.

09/07 – Teenage girl abducted from her home:
Sixteen-year-old Shahd al‑Halabouni was abducted by an armed group from her family home in al‑Mazra‘a, rural Homs.

09/07 – Body of abductee found in Banyas:
The body of Issa Ibrahim was found shot near Banyas hours after being abducted by unknown gunmen.

09/07 – Man killed at grocery store in Hama:
Gunmen affiliated with General Security opened fire on a grocery store in Ghor al‑Asi, killing one person.

09/07 – Body found in Latakia orchard:
A man in his forties from Beit Yashout, Latakia, was found dead with gunshot wounds near an orchard in Rahabiya.

09/07 – Two men shot dead in separate incidents in Homs:
Mazen Najla was shot dead in his office in al‑Nuzha, and Mazen Suleiman was killed during a raid on Quniya al‑Asi.

09/10 – Man killed in Maryghan:
Hussein Ahmad Mar‘i was shot dead by an armed group in Maryghan, Homs.

09/10 – Two brothers found dead in the Orontes River:
They had been abducted from Safsaf village, Hama. Both bodies showed signs of gunshots.

09/10 – Abduction in Tartous:
Ali Fahd Shdoud was abducted from in front of his home in al‑Safsafa by an armed group.

09/10 – Engineer stabbed to death in Latakia:
Majd Kamal al‑Ra‘i was stabbed to death by an armed group.

09/11 – Horrific crimes across villages:
Extremist groups raided villages in Homs and Talkalakh, shooting at homes, arresting residents, looting houses, and assaulting women. Dureid and Sulayman Kanaan were among those arrested. Forced displacement targeting the Alawite population is ongoing.

09/12 – Young man killed in his home:
Abdul Hadi al‑Mahmoud was murdered by an extremist group in his home in al‑Aziziya, Hama.

09/12 – Forced displacement in Hama:
Residents of Saboura countryside were coerced into relinquishing their homes, many signing away property without compensation.

09/13 – Arrest campaign in Umm al‑Atham village:
General Security conducted raids and arrested multiple residents.

09/14 – Man abducted returning from work:
Sami Ibrahim Fawaz of al‑Zahra’ was kidnapped near Aqraba on his way home from work.

09/15 – Young man beaten to death in Liftaya:
Bassem Suleiman Diob died after his skull was crushed by an armed group.

09/16 – Young man killed in Tartous:
A man was shot dead in the al‑Qalaa area of Banyas.

09/18 – Religious shrine occupied in Homs:
General Security stormed the shrine of Sheikh Ibrahim al‑Hakim in Fahil, expelled visitors, and occupied the site.

09/18 – Man killed and body withheld:
Ramadan Kiwan of al‑Dreikish was killed by militants who refused to return his body to his family.

09/18 – Mass executions in Homs prison:
Sources report mass executions of detainees following prison protests. Bodies were removed in refrigerated trucks and buried in Tal al‑Nasr to hide evidence.

09/19 – Girl killed and another wounded in Masyaf:
Turkmen militants attempted to abduct girls in Aqrab, killing one and injuring another.

09/19 – Nine youths arrested in Rabia:
General Security raided homes and detained nine young men.

09/19 – Disabled man killed in Homs:
Hashim Milhem, paralyzed and immobile, was gunned down in a displaced persons camp.

09/21 – Forests burned to force displacement:
Takfiri groups set fire to wooded areas in Hab Namra and near Ali to push residents out.

09/21 – Two men from Nubl and al‑Zahra’ killed:
Ali al‑Sayyid Ali was killed and two others wounded by gunfire.

09/22 – Man abducted and killed:
Mufid Issa Mandou was taken from his home in al‑A‘war and found dead hours later in a remote location.

09/24 – Village attacked in Hama:
Takfiri groups raided Hurat Amurin, killing Ibrahim al‑Rukni and wounding women and children.

09/24 – Two men from Fu‘a killed near Sayyida Zainab:
They were shot dead by militants near the shrine.

09/25 – Two youths from Fu‘a abducted in Latakia.

09/27 – Mosque raid and assault on muezzin:
A takfiri group stormed Imam al‑Sadiq mosque in al‑Nuzha and beat the muezzin for using the Shia call to prayer.

09/27 – Man killed over refusal to hand over his car:
Thamer Aref was killed by General Security-affiliated gunmen.

09/28 – Girl abducted from Latakia bus station:
Shahd Kossa was taken by an armed group.

09/28 – Man killed in Homs:
Ali Ramiz al‑Hajji was shot dead in western Ghor village.

09/28 – Mass arrests in Nubl and al‑Zahra’ villages.

09/28 – Man killed in al‑Zahra’ neighborhood of Homs:
Sha‘ban Izz al‑Din was shot dead.

09/28 – Religious shrine burned in al‑Ghab:
The shrine of Sheikh Muhammad al‑Ajami in al‑Khanduq was set on fire.

09/29 – Water cut off from multiple villages in Latakia.

09/30 – Killed in rural Homs:
Hassan Mahdi al‑Hajji was shot dead.

09/30 – Killed in Tartous:
Kamal Abdul‑Latif Subh was gunned down while going back home.

09/30 – Young man insulted, beaten, and executed at checkpoint:
Haitham Abdul Aziz Yusuf was stopped at a security post, humiliated, and shot dead by General Security elements in Talkalakh.

Incidents of Anti-Shiism, July 2025

Shia Rights Watch issues its monthly report highlighting the most prominent human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims from July 1 to August 1, 2025.

This report details various terrorist operations carried out by extremist groups against Shia Muslims, as well as instances of oppression and abuse by certain governments and regimes.

SRW relied on both its own sources and public sources, such as individuals and human rights groups active in the countries where violations occurred.

Countries (Alphabetically):

Iran

07/26 Dead and injured in court attack: An attack by armed extremists on the Zahedan courthouse in Balochistan province killed nine people and injured 22 others.

Afghanistan

07/06 Suppression of religious rituals: Taliban authorities in Ghazni province cracked down on Ashura processions in the city and its districts, imposing a harsh and arbitrary ban on Shia religious practices.

Taliban forces attacked mourning processions, destroyed sound systems in mosques and hussainiyas, and threatened organizers.

Similar actions were reported in Jaghoori, Malistan, Nawur, and Jaghatu. Taliban set up checkpoints to block processions.

Reports from Malistan confirmed Taliban seizure of several hussainiyas, converting them into military bases.

Pakistan

07/15 Ban on land travel to Karbala: The Interior Ministry banned land travel to Karbala, Iraq, citing security reasons. The ban included buses, private cars, and pilgrimage convoys, allowing only air travel.

Bahrain

07/01 Arrest of a religious cleric from Al-Dir: Authorities arrested preacher Isa Al-Moamen.

07/04 Arrest campaigns in multiple areas: Security forces arrested several clerics, religious chanters, and youths.

07/04, 07/11, 07/18, 07/25 Continued ban on Shia Friday prayers: For the 39th to 42nd consecutive weeks, security imposed strict blockades on Diraz, banning central Friday prayers.

07/17 Arrest of a protester: Authorities arrested recently released citizen Mohammed Al-Sankis, who had been protesting for four months demanding reinstatement at his former job.

Lebanon

07/05 One dead, two injured in Israeli strike in Shaqra.

07/10 One killed, two injured in Israeli drone attack near Mansouri.

07/17 Two killed, two injured in Israeli strikes on Kfour and Naqoura.

07/26 Two killed in Israeli strike on a home in Dbaal, Tyre.

07/27 Three killed in Israeli strikes on a car and home in Tyre.

Syria

07/04 One killed and another injured in rural Latakia: An armed group opened fire on brothers Amer Amoun and Bayhas Amoun, resulting in the death of Amer and the injury of Bayhas.

07/05 Kidnapping of a girl from Hama: Armed men kidnapped Bana Khaddour, a young woman from Hama, as she was passing through the Kurto area in rural Tartous. Her fate remains unknown.

07/06 Widespread arson in Latakia: A group known as “Ansar al-Sunnah,” internationally classified as a terrorist organization, deliberately started wildfires in rural Latakia aiming to forcibly displace Alawite residents and expose them to danger and death. Around 5,000 people were affected, and over 1,120 were displaced from the villages of Beit Ayoush, Al-Mazraa, Al-Saboura, and Al-Basit.

07/07 Attack on a religious gathering near Sayyida Zaynab: Security forces affiliated with General Security assaulted mourners participating in the final Ashura night rituals near the shrine of Sayyida Zaynab. Attendees, including women and elderly individuals, were pushed around, candles were stomped out, and a man carrying a child was physically assaulted.

07/07 Body of a detainee found in Al-Mazzeh: The body of Soumar Makhlouf, a disabled member of the Alawite community, was found after being detained by General Security forces.

07/07 Elderly man killed by a security officer: A security officer in Jableh (rural Latakia) shot and killed an elderly man.

07/08 Intimidation and siege of Al-Sumariyah neighborhood: Armed groups raided Al-Sumariyah near Damascus, fired indiscriminately, shouted sectarian slurs, and issued direct death threats. They blocked all entrances with earth mounds and stone barriers, paralyzing movement. Bread distributors, food vendors, and water tankers were also barred from entry despite the area suffering water cuts.

07/09 Two youths killed in Al-Tadamon: Two young men were killed and a third injured when an unknown armed man on a motorcycle opened fire inside a real estate office on Al-Jalaa Street in Al-Tadamon, Damascus.

07/09 Assassination of a Shia cleric in Al-Mazraa, Homs: Armed men on a motorcycle assassinated Shia cleric Sheikh Rasoul Shahoud while he was returning from Al-Waer orchards. The killing occurred near a local faction checkpoint in broad daylight.

07/10 Youth killed by General Security in Qardaha: Ismail Barbar was shot and killed by a patrol from General Security while riding a motorcycle. His companion, Rifaat Khair Bek, was arrested.

07/10 Youth killed in Al-Rweisa: Haidar Asaad was shot dead in Al-Rweisa Al-Bassatneh, Qardaha countryside, by gunmen linked to local militias.

07/10 Youth killed in Al-Diabiyah: Tamer Assaf was shot and killed while working on his land in Al-Diabiyah, Qusayr countryside, by unidentified gunmen.

07/10 Two brothers killed in Homs: Shadi and Farid Mohammad Mahfouz, from Ain Al-Karoum in rural Hama but residing in Homs, were gunned down en route to the central vegetable market. A third individual with them was also injured.

07/10 Shia families expelled from Sayyida Zaynab: Security forces began forcibly evicting Shia residents from hotels and buildings they had rented and lived in for years in Sayyida Zaynab, most of which were owned by foreign investors, especially Iraqis. Residents were given 24 hours to vacate with no alternative housing or prior notice. Refusal led to physical assault and forced eviction, along with property confiscation. Over 30 buildings were emptied, and sources reported that families from Idlib were being resettled there.

07/12 Two killed in separate incidents in rural Hama and Tartous: Bashar Othman of Rabou village (Masyaf countryside) was shot during his commute, coinciding with a passing security convoy. In Tartous countryside, Ahmad Youssef Jibril was killed and his brother Suleiman injured by unknown gunmen near a café in Mashteh Al-Helou.

07/13 Seizure of a Shia mosque in Al-Hazmiyah, Homs: Armed groups seized Imam Al-Hujjah Al-Mahdi Mosque in Al-Hazmiyah (Homs countryside), renamed it “Lady Aisha Mosque,” and expelled followers of Ahl al-Bayt from their homes.

07/16 Youth killed in Talkalakh: Mahmoud Nafez Abbas from Beit Qareen village was gunned down by unidentified militants on Talkalakh’s main road.

07/17 Dozens arrested in Al-Mazraa, Homs: General Security forces stormed Al-Mazraa village, arresting a large number of young men amid intense gunfire and heavy security tension.

07/20 Father and son killed in rural Hama: Armed men stormed their home in Jadrin village and shot them dead.

07/20 Youth killed in Jableh: Ahmad Jaafar was shot dead by an armed group in Snoubar Jableh, rural Latakia.

07/23 Abducted man’s body found in Homs: The body of Soumar Fawaz, a taxi driver from Wadi Al-Dhahab, was found with a gunshot to the head in Al-Waer Hospital days after he was kidnapped.

07/25 Religious council attacked in Salamiyah: Dozens of armed men stormed Taldara in Salamiyah on motorbikes, chanting sectarian slurs, and then raided the Ismaili religious council, insulting its leaders.

07/26 One killed and another injured in Sahel Al-Ghab: A young man was shot dead and another wounded by unknown gunmen in Kafr Aqid village, rural western Hama.

07/25 Village raid in rural Homs: Armed men, accompanied by General Security and “sector official” Abu Maria, stormed Al-Hamidiyah village in eastern Homs. Residents—Shia, Alawites, and Christians—were given three days to evacuate.

07/27 Girl’s body found in Hama: The body of a girl from Halfaya, Hama, who was kidnapped days earlier by unknown gunmen, was found.

07/28 Sectarian dismissal of judges: Around 200 judges, mostly from Hama, Homs, and Tartous, were dismissed in a campaign reportedly driven by sectarian motives.

07/29 Body of a youth from Baniyas found: Majd Ghanem from Tartous was found dead with bullet wounds after disappearing for several days.

07/31 Judge assassinated in Tartous: Judge Ghaith Mohammad, of the Civil Court of First Instance in Safita, was assassinated outside the courthouse by an armed group.

Saudi Arabia

07/01 Arrest of a girl from Al-Awamiyah during home raid.

07/03 Arrest of youth Abdulhadi Al-Aswad from Al-Awamiyah.

07/07 Execution of political prisoner Ahmed Al-Barzon from Qatif.

07/07 Arrest of cleric Sheikh Ahmad Abduljabbar Al-Sameen in Dammam.

07/14 Execution of political prisoner Ali Al-Alawi from Qatif.

07/24 Multiple home and farm raids in Al-Awamiyah.

07/29 Execution of a third political prisoner, Ahmed Mohammad Al-Hammadi from Qatif.

Incidents of Anti-Shiism, June 2025

Shia Rights Watch issues its monthly report highlighting the most prominent human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims from June 1 to July 1, 2025.

This report details various terrorist operations carried out by extremist groups against Shia Muslims, as well as instances of oppression and abuse by certain governments and regimes.

SRW relied on both its own sources and public sources, such as individuals and human rights groups active in the countries where violations occurred.

Countries (Alphabetically):

Iran

06/30: Hundreds of civilians killed or injured in war: According to human rights sources, ongoing Israeli airstrikes resulted in over 935 civilian deaths, including women and children, and injured more than 4,870 civilians.

Afghanistan

06/11: Restrictions and arrests: Taliban authorities arrested dozens of Shia citizens in Daikundi during Eid al-Adha celebrations for observing the holiday on a day different from the one designated by the Taliban.

Pakistan

06/02: Raid on religious scholar’s home in Sargodha: The home of Mr. Ghulam Raza, director of Al-Fazl School, was stormed by extremists who vandalized the property and physically assaulted the residents.

06/22: Cleric arrested in Islamabad: Authorities arrested Sheikh Hussain Naqvi without providing any reasons.

Bahrain

06/06: Bahraini Interior Ministry forces continued to impose a strict security siege on the town of Diraz for the 35th consecutive week, preventing central Friday prayers. Armed forces and military vehicles were heavily deployed around Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque and all entrances to the area to stop Shia worshippers from gathering.

06/13: The security blockade in Diraz persisted for the 36th consecutive week, again preventing the central Friday prayers.

06/20: For the 37th week in a row, security forces maintained their siege on Diraz and prevented Shia citizens from performing Friday prayers.

06/24: Security forces affiliated with the Ministry of Interior assaulted multiple citizens and removed Ashura symbols in Diraz and surrounding areas. These assaults resulted in several civilian injuries, including a severe head injury to citizen Hassan Al-Anfour.

06/25: The Interior Minister of Bahrain threatened heads of Shia religious centers (Hussainiyas), accusing them of turning Ashura into a source of chaos and threatening to penalize those who violate the ministry’s restrictions. These threats coincided with systematic attacks on Ashura rituals by security forces in several areas.

06/27: The siege on Diraz continued for the 38th consecutive week, again preventing Friday congregational prayers at Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque.

Syria

06/01: The bodies of five detainees were found by residents of Ash al-Warwar in Damascus. The individuals had been arrested after returning from work by the so-called General Security Service, and their bodies were later discovered in a hospital.

06/04: Surge in kidnappings: Seventeen cases were documented, including a child and three women, across areas such as Damascus, Hama, Latakia, Homs, Tartus, Rural Damascus, and Aleppo.

06/05:

A farmer was shot dead by an armed group while working in a field in rural Homs.
Another farmer was shot and killed while working in the village of Batmoush in rural Jableh.
An attack on the villages of Beit Ana and Dalia in rural Jableh by members of the so-called General Security resulted in the deaths of three young men, including one with disabilities. Homes and public facilities were burned and destroyed, and several men were arrested.
In Batmoush, locals discovered the body of a kidnapped young man bearing signs of torture and gunshot wounds.
The body of detainee Hafez Youssef Al-Tawil was returned to his family a week after his arrest by the General Security Service from his village, Barouha, in the Talkalakh region of Homs.
Another detainee from Wadi Al-Dahab was also executed by the General Security Service, who later informed his family to collect his body days after his arrest.

06/08: In Barouha near Talkalakh, an armed group executed Haydar Al-Asaad in front of his parents. Two others from the village of Al-Diyabiya, Haidar Al-Hassan and Asaad Al-Assaf, were also shot and killed while riding their motorcycle.

06/09: Villages in rural Homs, including Al-Shniya, Al-Qabo, Al-Sharqaliya, and Al-Qanqiya, woke up to threatening leaflets warning the majority Alawite residents to flee or face extermination.

06/10: Engineer Hassan Ismail Yassin was gunned down after exiting a mosque in the Al-Waer neighborhood of Homs.

06/14: Armed groups desecrated the shrine of Lady Zainab (peace be upon her) in rural Damascus, shouting insults and threats at worshippers and firing shots in the air to intimidate them.

06/17: In Al-Mashrafa, rural Homs, three young men were killed and four others injured by gunfire from an armed group.

06/19: In the village of Al-Sanawbar in rural Latakia, nine young men were arrested and beaten by the so-called General Security forces during a violent raid.

06/20:

In Baniyas, the young man Mohammad Shaaban from the village of Al-Mawrid was killed by an armed group on motorcycles.
In Harasta, agricultural engineer Shadi Ahmed Ihsan was abducted while heading to work.

06/24: Shocking discovery of 31 mass graves across multiple Syrian cities, containing the remains of 2,744 victims. These findings were based on survivor testimonies and reports from both local and international human rights organizations.

Sheikh Shahhoud’s Assassination: Another Warning Sign for Syria’s Religious Minorities

Incidents of antishiism_Shia RIghts Watch Syria

Incident Brief

#Breaking: One of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Rasoul Shahhoud was found murdered in his vehicle near the village of Al-Mazraa in Homs, Syria—just meters away from a security checkpoint. Hours earlier, he had reportedly been detained by Syrian General Security and then released. The assassination triggered widespread protests and fears of sectarian conflict. Sheikh Shahhoud was a senior member of the Scientific Committee of the Followers of Ahlulbayt and a respected religious voice within the Shia community of rural Homs.

Villagers and religious leaders have described the murder as a sectarian-driven crime, sparking outrage in the region as incidents of identity-based killings and abductions continue to rise.

Shia Rights Watch Condemnation

Shia Rights Watch strongly condemns the targeted assassination of Sheikh Rasoul Shahhoud—a respected religious leader whose life was dedicated to peace, education, and interfaith unity. His brutal murder is not only an attack on the Shia community, but also a dangerous provocation that threatens to ignite sectarian conflict in an already fragile region.

This incident reflects a troubling rise in identity-based violence in Syria and highlights the continued vulnerability of religious minorities. The fact that this murder occurred so close to a government checkpoint raises serious concerns about either negligence or complicity on the part of local security forces.

We stand with the people of Al-Mazraa and the larger Shia community of Syria in mourning this loss and demanding justice.

Our Demands and Recommendations

Action	Reason
*Immediate and Independent Investigation*	A transparent inquiry must be launched to hold the perpetrators accountable and determine whether security forces were complicit or negligent.
Enhanced Protection for Religious Minorities	Authorities must take concrete steps to protect vulnerable groups, especially religious leaders at risk of sectarian violence.
Accountability for Hate Speech and Sectarian Incitement	All parties must publicly condemn hate rhetoric and ensure those who incite violence face legal consequences.
*Unified Interfaith Messaging*	Religious leaders from all sects should come together to issue a joint statement denouncing the murder and promoting peaceful coexistence.
*Grassroots Peacebuilding Initiatives*	Civil society groups should be supported in facilitating community dialogue, reducing mistrust, and preventing further escalation.

Message from Shia Rights Watch

This assassination is not an isolated crime—it is a direct challenge to the safety and dignity of Syria’s religious minorities. The silence or inaction of the state in the face of such crimes becomes complicity. We demand swift justice, public transparency, and immediate safeguards for all peaceful religious figures. Sheikh Shahhoud represented unity and moderation—his murder must not be allowed to divide Syria’s people.

Shia Rights Watch calls on the international community, human rights organizations, and local Syrian authorities to treat this case with the urgency it demands. The protection of religious leaders and minority communities is not optional—it is a moral and legal obligation.

We will continue to monitor developments and advocate globally until justice is served and systemic protection is in place.

Muharram 2025 Advisory

Context & Significance

Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar year and remains one of the most pivotal periods of remembrance for Shia Muslims worldwide. Rooted in the tragic events of Karbala, mourning rituals during this month symbolize defiance against injustice and deep reverence for Imam Hussein ultimate sacrifice.

Unfortunately, these highly visible commemorations can also expose Shia communities to heightened risks of persecution or violent attacks in 2025, especially amid rising sectarian tensions and historic anti-Shia activism in countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bahrain, Afghanistan, and others.

For Shia Communities — Know Your Rights & Stay Safe

Learn Your Rights

Study your nation’s constitution and international commitments (e.g., ICCPR’s freedom of religion clauses).
Document any attempts to suppress your religious practice—e.g., bans on gatherings or seizure of religious materials.

Coordinate with Security Forces

Reach out to community liaisons within your local police or public safety department.
Request consultations on crowd control, surveillance systems, or permit procedures for Muharram events.
Submit necessary permits early, and formally request police presence or escorts for processions.

Engage Government Leaders

Schedule meetings with local authorities—mayors, councils, or security chiefs—to share your concerns.
Provide translated statements or briefs on the cultural and religious significance of Muharram.

Communicate with Wider Society

Distribute leaflets or host public seminars explaining Muharram’s historical meaning.
Invite neighbors or non-Shia community members to observation events or open forums.
Promote mutual cultural awareness and reduce misapprehension.

Activate Support Systems

Share emergency hotlines and community contacts.
Make mental health, legal aid, and advocacy services available to participants.
Encourage documenting any incidents through photos, witness reports, or official records.

To Authorities & Law Enforcement

Acknowledge Increased Vulnerability

Muharram processions, majalis, and public mourning events are dense and symbolically significant—make protecting them a priority.
Terrorist cells and sectarian militants often exploit these periods to target Shia communities.

B. Plan Inclusively

Include Shia community leaders in all event planning, especially where security or traffic logistics are concerned, to integrate local insights and avoid unnecessary friction.

C. Deploy Balanced & Educated Security

Train law enforcement on cultural sensitivity; emphasize avoiding profiling or aggressive tactics.
Assign officers to monitor for threats and intervene against extremists without disrupting rituals.

D. Use Community Liaison Officers

Empower “cultural police” or community liaison units to foster trust and reduce misunderstandings.
Encourage consistent, transparent communication lines between Shia communities and authorities.

Civil Society & Media

Monitor & Report

NGOs, journalists, and bystanders should document any human rights violations during Muharram.
Submit verified reports to UN Special Rapporteurs, national human rights institutions, and international NGOs.

Elevate Voices

Share testimonies online using hashtags like #Muharram2025, #AntiShiism, and #ReligiousFreedom.
Promote respectful coverage in your media—interview Shia worshippers, cover the symbolism authentically, counter sensationalist portrayals.

Advocate for Legal Safeguards

Press policymakers to pass or enforce anti-discrimination laws protecting Shia religious expression.
Encourage international bodies to monitor at-risk communities during Muharram.

Summary—A Unified Response

Who	What You Can Do
Shia Communities	Know your rights, prepare events early, coordinate with authorities, engage public support.
Authorities	Prioritize security, train personnel, work with community leaders.
Civil Society & Media	Monitor abuses, amplify voices, push for legal protections.

By mobilizing legal knowledge, civic engagement, and alliances across society, we can ensure Muharram 2025 becomes a time of dignity and remembrance—not fear.

June 12: A Global Call to End the Silence on Anti-Shia Persecution

A Call for Equity, Dignity, and Global Accountability

On June 12, Shia Rights Watch and its partners around the world mark International Shia Day—a day dedicated to raising awareness about the discrimination, marginalization, and violence faced by Shia communities globally. The goal is not to divide, but to highlight the urgent need for inclusive human rights protections for all people, regardless of their identity or beliefs.

The date is significant. It commemorates the mass execution of over 1,700 Shia cadets in Camp Speicher, Iraq in 2014—one of the deadliest single atrocities of the century. These young men were targeted and killed solely based on their identity. Their story is not unique. In countries such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Bahrain, Shia Muslims continue to face institutionalized discrimination, denial of due process, restrictions on assembly and worship, and, in the worst cases, acts of violence and forced displacement.

These violations stand in direct contradiction to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which affirms the right to freedom of belief (Article 18), protection from arbitrary arrest (Article 9), and equal protection under the law (Article 7). Yet for many Shia communities, these rights remain inaccessible, ignored, or systematically denied.

International Shia Day is not about theology—it is about the right to exist freely and equally as a human being. It is about a global pattern of impunity where crimes against religious and ethnic minorities often go unaddressed. It is about challenging silence and advocating for inclusive, accountable governance rooted in international law.

At Shia Rights Watch, we document and report ongoing violations each month. In recent years, our reports have captured patterns of:

Targeted killings and bombings in Pakistan and Afghanistan
Arbitrary arrests and executions in Saudi Arabia
Suppression of peaceful protests and mourning rituals in Bahrain
Denial of citizenship and employment discrimination in multiple Gulf states
Underrepresentation in public institutions, limiting political voice and access to justice

These realities do not just affect individuals—they fracture communities, create cycles of trauma, and erode the social fabric needed for sustainable peace.

On International Shia Day, we urge governments, human rights institutions, and civil society to:

Recognize and publicly condemn sectarian-based human rights violations
Support independent investigations and accountability mechanisms
Ensure minority representation in legal and political systems
Protect freedom of expression, belief, and peaceful assembly for all groups

Every person has the right to live without fear of persecution. Every community deserves equal treatment before the law. Every voice matters.

Let June 12 be a reminder that human rights are not optional, and no group should be left behind. Shia Rights Watch invites all partners, allies, and individuals of conscience to join this call for justice, dignity, and global awareness.

Incidents of Anti-Shiism, May 2025

Shia Rights Watch(SRW) presents its monthly report documenting significant human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims between May 1 and June 1, 2025.

Shia Rights Watch issues its monthly report on the most prominent human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims for the period from May 1 to June 1, 2025.

This report reviews numerous terrorist operations carried out by extremist groups against Shia individuals, as well as acts of repression and abuse practiced against them by certain regimes and governments.

Shia Rights Watch confirms that it relied in this report on its own sources and some public sources, such as individuals and groups active in the field of freedoms and human rights spread across the countries that witnessed these violations.

Countries Listed Alphabetically:

Afghanistan

05/16: Armed groups affiliated with the Taliban, accompanied by nomadic elements, launched a coordinated attack on the village of Safed Sang in the Behsud district of Maidan Wardak province. According to local sources, the attackers targeted unarmed residents’ homes, conducting looting and torture under the direct supervision of the Taliban governor of the province, Hashim Huzaifa. Approximately twenty armed individuals participated in the attack, causing panic among civilians, with no immediate response from the de facto authorities. Human rights organizations described the attack as part of a systematic policy aimed at land seizure and forced demographic changes, resembling ethnic cleansing practices by the Taliban against residents of certain areas, particularly in Behsud, predominantly inhabited by Shia Hazaras.

Pakistan

05/14: A radical gunman threw a hand grenade at a pro-army public gathering in Quetta, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to ten others of varying severity.
05/21: Civil authorities in the Baharia municipality of Karachi removed Hussaini images and banners displayed by Shia residents on and above their homes, threatening to cut off water and electricity to those who refused this arbitrary action.

Bahrain

During May, security authorities prevented Shia worshippers from holding Friday prayers. Security forces imposed near-complete cordons around Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque in the village of Diraz every Friday, marking the thirty-fourth consecutive week of such restrictions.

Lebanon

05/08: An Aircraft conducted a series of intense air raids targeting several areas in southern Lebanon. Lebanese media reported that the raids targeted the outskirts of the town of Nabatieh Al-Fawqa, with warplanes carrying out more than 15 strikes in the Nabatieh district, causing material damage to properties and instilling fear among civilians.

Syria

05/01: Security forces conducted a raid in the village of Al-Raqama, inhabited by Alawite community members in eastern Homs countryside, arresting five civilians following an incident where an unidentified gunman fired shots into the air within the village.
05/03: In a tragic morning in northern Homs countryside, unidentified gunmen committed a horrific crime in the town of Kafr Nan, killing four farmers while they were working in their fields. The victims were: Safa Khader Al-Abbas (65), a retired teacher; Nashmiya Ibrahim Eid (60), Al-Abbas’s wife; Nazmiya Sweid (47), a local farmer; and Namir Al-Mustafa (Al-Mallash) (45), a well-known farmer in the area. Eyewitnesses reported that the victims were directly targeted during their work without prior warning or confrontation, indicating premeditated and deliberate execution at close range.
05/03: Three civilians from the same family were killed by gunfire from an unidentified armed group while working in their agricultural land in Ain Badriya village in western Al-Ghab plain. The victims were Musab Zublo, Amjad Zublo, and Majd Zublo, who died instantly due to severe injuries.
05/04: A woman was killed and her husband injured in a shooting by two unidentified individuals on a motorcycle while the couple was sitting on their balcony in Wadi Al-Dhahab neighborhood (Beit Al-Tawil Street) in Homs city.
05/04: Dozens of Alawite families in the Al-Zahriyat housing area near Mezzeh Military Airport in Damascus face serious threats of forced eviction from their homes without legal compensation or alternative housing. Armed factions affiliated with the Ministries of Defense and Interior, stationed inside the airport, informed residents to vacate their homes permanently before the end of May.
05/05: Mohammad Abdul Latif Ismail was killed by direct gunfire from unidentified gunmen in front of his home in Al-Zaafarana Al-Gharbiya village on the Shin road. Reports indicate that a car stopped in front of his house, and the gunmen knocked on the door; upon opening, they shot him, resulting in immediate death.
05/06: Ali Muna was killed, and Jaafar Muna seriously injured after being shot by two gunmen on a motorcycle in Al-Jibibat area near Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam School in Jableh city, Latakia countryside.
05/06: The body of Louay Hassan Darwish (Abu Hassan) was found in Al-Muwasat Hospital in Damascus after he had been missing since May 4. He had lost contact while working as a taxi driver in the capital.
05/06: Dr. Khairat Mohammad, an assistant professor at Homs University, was arrested by a group affiliated with general security after raiding his home in Karm Al-Zaytoun neighborhood—Street 17 in Homs city. Personal belongings, including cash, gold jewelry, mobile phones, student files, and a laptop, were confiscated without presenting any legal warrant or explanation.
05/06: Four civilians were killed while working in their agricultural fields in Ain Al-Jouza village in Salanfa area due to an attack by an armed group.
05/06: Two young men, Hussein Ahmad Abu Hassan and Asif Ahmad Abu Hassan, were killed, and a third person injured after being shot by unidentified gunmen while irrigating their agricultural land in northern Hamra area, Hama countryside.
05/06: An armed group affiliated with the new Syrian administration stormed Balqasa village in western Homs countryside, shooting and killing a young Alawite man, then arresting his father and two brothers and taking them to an unknown location.
05/08: Five people, including three brothers, were injured when two gunmen on a motorcycle randomly opened fire in Karm Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Homs. The attackers also shouted sectarian insults against the Alawite community.
05/08: Mira Jalal Thabet, a young woman from Talkalakh city west of Homs, appeared wearing Afghan attire alongside a young man claiming to have married her after kidnapping her last month, despite her being engaged to another man working in Lebanon. Her father had reported her disappearance, but was subsequently arrested on charges of “filing a false report.”
05/09: Mohammad Darwish, a young man from Saboura village in Hama countryside, was kidnapped by armed men who stormed his home without identifying themselves or providing reasons for the abduction. The family stated that the kidnappers claimed affiliation with general security but presented no official documents, and authorities in Saboura denied any involvement.
05/09: Armed men in two “Santa Fe” vehicles attacked homes in Yahmour and Kherbet Maaza towns in Tartus countryside, causing property damage but no casualties. In Hababa village in Dreikish countryside, armed groups raided several homes, vandalized properties, and kidnapped ten residents, taking them to unknown locations.
05/10: Two separate shooting incidents in Homs city resulted in the deaths of two civilians under mysterious security circumstances. In Al-Shamas neighborhood, Rifaat Mahmoud Al-Jarash from Aysun village in Homs countryside was shot dead in front of his rented home. In Karm Shamsham neighborhood, Mohammad Suleiman Younes, a taxi driver, was killed while heading to work, shot by armed individuals, dying instantly in his vehicle.
05/10: A foreign faction comprising Uzbek and Turkistani fighters from Qarfeis area executed civilians, including a child, near Zama town in Latakia countryside. The same group also fired directly at civilians in Zama and Ain Al-Sharqiya villages, killing at least four people, identified as Hilal Al-Ali and Anwar Hamada.
05/12: In Al-Da’tour neighborhood in Latakia, a security patrol assaulted two young men, beating and insulting them before arresting and taking them to an unknown location, firing shots to disperse locals who tried to intervene.
05/13: In Al-Thabitiyah village, eastern Homs countryside, an incident sparked concern among residents when an armed group entered the village and detained several young men in a harsh manner. Local sources report that the group raided several homes, detained the youth in their vehicles, and paraded them through the streets before forcing them to stand against a wall near a main road while subjecting them to verbal abuse with religious overtones.
05/13: Security violations escalated significantly in Homs province. Armed groups carried out a wave of arbitrary raids, arrests, and sectarian assaults. Shia youth returning from Lebanon—who were promised safe return—were forcibly taken off buses at Al-Mazraa roundabout, beaten, and insulted before being taken to an unknown destination.

In Al-Thabitiyah (eastern Homs), an armed group stormed the village at dawn, assaulted residents, and detained 14 young men, some of whom remain missing. In Al-Hazmiyah, intense gunfire and random arrests targeted both elderly and youth, causing widespread fear. Similar raids occurred in Homs neighborhoods like Al-Arman, Al-Muhajireen, Al-Sabeel, Al-Ahram, and Al-Khudariyah, where Alawite civilians were arrested amid sectarian insults and random gunfire, wounding a girl.

Videos circulated online showing children screaming during the raids. Other villages, including Abu Dali, Abu Hakfa, and Khalfa in eastern Homs, experienced the same pattern of unchecked violence and detentions. Public buses in western Homs are regularly stopped by security agents who beat Shia youth, subjecting them to daily abuse.
05/14: In western Homs, rogue factions launched a raid campaign in Hadeedah and Ain Al-Tineh Al-Sharqiyah, resulting in arrests and injuries due to random gunfire.
05/14: In Jableh, 48-year-old Majd Nazih Darwish was kidnapped after receiving a phone call. On his way near Siano intersection, he was intercepted by two masked men in cars, forced out of his vehicle, and taken to an unknown location.
05/16: Security forces, accompanied by loyalist militants, raided villages in western Homs including Hadeedah, Baayoun, Al-Naaseh, and Al-Mashrafah. Residents avoided leaving their homes due to fear of arrest or mistreatment. The raids coincided with a dire living crisis—residents face severe food shortages and economic hardship, resorting to wild herbs like mallow and dandelion for sustenance.
05/18: In Hama countryside, unidentified gunmen attacked two young men on a motorcycle traveling from Bureen to Masyaf. Ali Asaad was killed, and Hassan Shahoud injured.
05/18: In Tartus, a young woman, Itab Salim Jadid, was kidnapped near the seafront promenade.
05/18: In Al-Baloutiya village, Tartus countryside, gunmen randomly fired shots, killing a young man, Darrar Ibrahim.
05/18: Widespread arbitrary raids and arrests were reported in Shia-majority cities across Homs, Hama, Latakia, and Tartus. Some operations were led by official security forces, while others involved unidentified gunmen. Detainees faced mistreatment, were held in undisclosed locations, and had belongings confiscated. Victims included individuals previously granted amnesty, students, farmers, and workers from healthcare and education sectors.
05/19: Homs descended into chaos with kidnappings, killings, and theft. In eastern Homs, a young bread distributor, Hani Fitna, was abducted in Sukkara village. Kidnappers demanded a $70,000 ransom. Separately, engineer assistant Mohammad Mihoub Abboud from Tartus was found murdered in his apartment in Jandar housing complex, hands bound and throat slit. On the Zaidal–Homs road, gunmen robbed Issa Mundher Qasim of his food-laden vehicle and phone.
05/21: Security-led raids targeted Bustan Al-Hamam and Al-Gharziyya villages in Baniyas countryside, Tartus. Entrances were sealed, gunmen spread throughout, especially in Bustan Al-Hamam, where gunfire and arbitrary arrests were reported. Al-Gharziyya witnessed security tensions and at least two arrests.
05/22: In Latakia countryside, masked gunmen shot and killed a young man in Qatariyya village near an agricultural office.
05/24: Armed groups kidnapped four university students—Samir Milhem, Hamza Zamzam, Khaled Al-Sayed, and Ali Ahmad—after stopping their civilian vehicle in Homs countryside.
05/24: A bloody night unfolded in Tartus with three simultaneous murders. In Majdaloun Al-Bahr, three gunmen in a white Hyundai Porter shot and killed Shadi Mahmoud Fasik outside his barbershop. Separately, Hikmat Saleh was murdered near Al-Khraybat bridge, and Hassan Toufan was shot twice in the head, dying instantly.
05/26: In Al-Waer neighborhood, Homs, the body of Samer Fahim Afara was found after he had gone missing near Talaat Rakan.
05/26: In Latakia countryside, five civilians from Maala and Zoubari families were killed while farming in Al-Kandisiyah. Gunmen on motorcycles shot at them, injuring two others—one critically.
05/28: In Al-Haffa, northern Latakia, gunmen raided homes, opened fire, and arrested two local youths.
05/29: In Filla village, Homs, a young man was severely injured when gunmen fired at him on a rural road.
05/29: In Al-Kadhimiyah, Homs, an armed group stormed the village and executed local resident Mohammad Ali Aslan.
05/30: In Barmaiyah, Baniyas countryside, government-affiliated gunmen raided several homes and arrested two residents—one a retired 70-year-old, and the other a 55-year-old municipal employee.

Saudi Arabia
05/03: Authorities executed brothers Hassan and Abdullah Mohammad Ghaith from Al-Malaha village, Qatif, over political charges.
05/10: Authorities executed Abdullah Abdulaziz Abu Abdullah, a detainee from Al-Awamiyah, Qatif.
05/17: Authorities arrested prominent Pakistani cleric Allama Ghulam Hasnain Wijdani from Quetta at Taif Airport without explanation.
05/29: A court in Riyadh sentenced two young detainees from Al-Awamiyah—Abdullah Mohammad Al-Faraj and Ahmad Mohammad Al-Manasif—to death. They were both under 19 when arrested two years ago.

Incidents of Anti-Shiism, April 2025

Shia Rights Watch(SRW) presents its monthly report documenting significant human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims between April 1 and May 1, 2025.

Shia Rights Watch issues its monthly report on the most prominent human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims for the period from April 1 to May 1, 2025.

The report reviews numerous terrorist operations carried out by extremist groups against Shia Muslims, as well as acts of repression and abuse practiced against them by certain regimes and governments.

Countries Listed Alphabetically:

Afghanistan

04/01: Taliban authorities prevented Shia Muslims from performing Eid prayers in several Afghan cities. They forced Shia fasting individuals in Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif, and Herat to break their fast under threat. Local sources reported that Taliban leaders stormed several mosques and prevented imams from conducting Eid al-Fitr prayers for Shia Muslims, asserting that Eid was officially declared on Sunday and should not be celebrated on another day. In the Malistan area of Ghazni province, Taliban elements forced some Shia individuals to break their fast and prohibited them from fasting on Sunday. Taliban forces also stormed Imam Muhammad Taqi Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif, expelled the imam and worshippers, and warned them of severe penalties if they held prayers on Monday.
04/14: An explosive device targeted the Sayed Khan Mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to three others.

Pakistan

04/01: Residents of Kurram District, Parachinar, continue to suffer under a siege imposed by extremist groups for several months, amid governmental failure to deliver food and medical aid.
04/05: A Pakistani court sentenced civil activist Engineer Syed Mumtaz Hussain Rizvi to fourteen years in prison due to his opposition and continuous protest against the deteriorating conditions faced by Shia minorities.
04/05: Pakistani authorities decided to forcibly deport one million Afghan refugees, the majority of whom are Shia, back to their country despite the significant threats to their safety.
04/07: Security forces thwarted a terrorist group’s attempt to attack residents of Dera Ismail Khan in the Takwara area.
04/19: Three people were killed, and more than five others were kidnapped by terrorist groups targeting a convoy of food and medical aid heading to the besieged city of Parachinar.

Bahrain

04/05: Security forces surrounding Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque in Diraz prevented Shia citizens from holding Friday prayers for the twenty-sixth consecutive week.
04/09: Authorities arrested the minor, Sayyed Hussein Al-Mousawi, from the town of Sanabis and placed him in detention.
04/12: Security forces continued to prevent Shia citizens from holding Friday prayers at Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque in Diraz for the twenty-seventh consecutive week.
04/19: The ban on Friday prayers at Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque in Diraz continued for the twenty-eighth consecutive week.
04/26: The prohibition of Friday prayers at Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque in Diraz persisted for the twenty-ninth consecutive week.

Syria

Note: Due to the prevalence of armed groups and the inability to confirm their political or ideological affiliations, only the term “armed groups” is used.

04/01: Reports emerged of Alawite women and girls being sold on social media platforms after being kidnapped from coastal areas and transported to Idlib and some Turkish border regions.
04/02: Armed factions raided the town of Ma’arba in Idlib countryside, predominantly Shia, conducting house raids and arresting dozens of residents.
04/03: Armed groups launched a campaign of raids and searches in the town of Kafr Sajna, predominantly Shia, arresting several young men.
04/04: The bodies of a family residing in the Al-Sabil neighborhood of Homs were found a day after their arrest by an armed faction.
04/11: An armed group stormed a house in the village of Al-Shniyah in Homs, killing the mother and father in front of their children.
04/12: Armed groups arrested and tortured brothers Ayman and Ahmed Khazama from the Khreisoun area in Baniyas countryside, leading to the death of one, while the other remains detained.
04/12: Armed groups stormed Al-Mustafa Mosque in Homs and seized control under threat of arms.
04/13: Armed groups forcibly displaced all residents of the Shia villages of Al-Aziziyah and Arza in western Hama countryside, bringing in residents from the town of Khattab to settle there. Displacement also affected the village of Tisnin and its surroundings north of Homs, in addition to other neighborhoods and villages in Homs and Damascus countryside, where residents were pressured to leave through threats, intimidation, kidnapping, and murder.
04/13: Residents of the Barzeh housing area protested to uncover the fate of more than fifty young men arrested without knowledge of their whereabouts.
04/15: An armed group killed young man Kazem Ali Badour while he was sitting in front of his shop in the Karm Al-Zaytoun neighborhood of Homs.
04/16: An armed group stormed the shop of young man Ibrahim Barakat and killed him in the Al-Jandali neighborhood of Homs.
04/16: The so-called Homs City Council publicly abolished Shia neighborhoods after most residents were forcibly displaced under threat of arms.
04/18: Authorities in Damascus and its suburbs confiscated homes of forcibly displaced Shia residents and granted them to fighters from Jabhat al-Nusra.
04/19: The body of young man Ammar Al-Mohammed was found in a hospital in Homs hours after his arrest by an armed group.
04/19: Armed group killed Iraqi Shia citizen Haider Al-Zamili and mutilated his body in the Sayyida Zainab area.
04/19: Armed groups stormed several homes in the village of Al-Mukhtariya in Homs, killing young man Ali Mahmoud Al-Abdullah in front of his children and arresting several young men from neighboring homes. Among the abducted were: Allam Najib Al-Abdullah, Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ali, Alaa Mohsen Samouni, Mutayyam Al-Saleh, and three of his cousins, two from the Al-Ali family, and Tarif Amin Mahrez.
04/21: An armed group stopped truck driver Alaa Al-Jubaili from the village of Jibreen in Latakia countryside and killed him.
04/22: An armed group killed four young men in the Sheikh Saeed area of Aleppo.
04/22: Armed groups stormed several homes in Baniyas, assaulting and humiliating residents.
04/23: Armed groups stormed the Al-Waleed suburb in Homs, killing three young men and injuring others.
04/23: An armed group kidnapped young man Iyad Aziz Issa from the village of Al-Barjan while he was returning from work near the Eidiyah junction.
04/24: An armed group kidnapped young man Ali Al-Salloum from the town of Masyaf, village of Al-Sawma’ah.
04/24: The body of teacher Mohammad Youssef Al-Qabaqli from Hama countryside was found days after his arrest by an armed group.
04/25: An armed group killed four young men after targeting the Alawite Council building in the Ash Al-Warour area of Damascus.
04/25: Armed groups in Homs committed multiple crimes, arresting and killing the following individuals: Ibrahim Qawaz, Wahib Suhail, Diyaa Haitham, Mohammad Saeed, Ali Asif, Yahya Al-Jardi, Alaa Al-Nasr, Hussein Al-Nasr, and Haitham Mohammad.
04/25: The body of young man Diyaa Haitham Ma’alla was found hours after his arrest in the Al-Waer neighborhood of Homs.
04/25: An armed group kidnapped Mrs. Haya Imad from the town of Qatana in Damascus countryside.
04/26: Armed groups launched raids on several homes in Homs, arresting: Ammar Darwish, Zain Darwish, Abdul Aziz Al-Radwan, Imad Aziz Wasouf, and Nawfal Ibrahim.
04/27: An armed group opened fire on a residence in the Al-Nazihin neighborhood of Homs, killing four members of one family, including the mother.
04/27: Armed groups killed young men Fares Mousa and Majd Issa from Latakia countryside.
04/27: An armed group kidnapped student Mira Jalal Thabet from the Tal Kalakh area while she was entering the teacher preparation institute in Homs.
04/28: An armed group killed young man Mohammad Ali Jadid from the Al-Ziyadiyah neighborhood of Jableh.
04/28: An armed group killed young man Yazan Zakaria Deeba from Tal Kalakh.

Saudi Arabia

04/26: Authorities executed young man Ali Abdullah Al-Rabah from the town of Al-Awamiyah in Qatif.

Iraq

04/12: Authorities discovered a mass grave containing the remains of more than 24 young men from the 1991 Shaaban Uprising near a village south of Kirkuk. These individuals were executed and buried alive by the Baathist regime.

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