A deadly raid tests a revolutionary town’s faith in Syria's new government

A deadly raid in the Syrian town of Rankous has left five people dead, shaking the faith of its residents in the new government. The attack targeted alleged Islamic State sympathizers, with 45 individuals rounded up and five killed. Three victims were unarmed, while two opened fire on security forces, killing two of them. For three days, mourners assembled in the town square, mourning their sons who were killed amidst the end of the war.

The incident has deepened a sense of loss and injustice in Rankous, a town that has already witnessed significant loss. Local leader Abu Jad, formerly of the Free Syrian Army, expressed his community's feelings of marginalization in the post-Assad order. Bitar, who defected from the Syrian army and later fought against Hezbollah, returned to Rankous in triumph in December 2024, only to find his town destitute.

The raid has reignited grievances among war-scarred communities as they wait for the second anniversary of Assad's fall, with groups like IS potentially exploiting these grievances.