The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) condemned in its report published on Tuesday, September 17, the arrest of three activists by the Syrian regime’s forces in Latakia province due to their criticism of the regime.

The SNHR documented that elements of the Military Security branch arrested Dr. Ahmed Mazhar al-Sufi (80 years old), a specialist in pediatrics and cosmetics, on September 9th. It also arrested Dr. Zuhair Ibrahim Khair Baik, a specialist in gynecology and obstetrics, and his cousin Iyad Suhail Khair Baik, a car parts trader, on August 14th.

The SNHR indicated that the regime’s forces imposed complete censorship on the situation of the three detainees, prohibiting any form of communication with them or their families, including lawyers and human rights advocates. The regime also rejected all attempts made by the families and entities close to the detainees to learn the reasons for their arrest or provide any information regarding their health or legal status.

In the same context, the Syrian writer Maher Sharaf al-Din confirmed the arrest of the three activists through a video on his Facebook page. He pointed out that the Military Intelligence arrested Dr. Zuhair Khair Baik and his cousin Iyad in the town of Kasab in the Latakia countryside, accusing them of establishing a national opposition movement from the province’s residents against the regime and communicating with opposition figures abroad.

Doctors Zuhair Khair Baik and Ahmed Mazhar al-Sufi are considered well-known figures in Latakia. They were known for their continuous criticism of the regime’s security and economic policies, with Dr. Zuhair previously holding the position of Chairman of the Doctors Syndicate in Latakia province, according to the SNHR quoting sources close to the detainees.

These arrests come as part of the ongoing policy adopted by the Syrian regime to suppress voices critical of its policies in the areas under its control.

The Syrian coast witnessed a wave of arrests by the regime’s security services last year, targeting activists and individuals accused of belonging to the August 10 Movement.

A group of activists in Syria had announced through a statement on August 5, 2023, the formation of the August 10 Movement to “end the suffering of Syrians from the mismanagement of the country’s affairs and the state’s neglect of the people’s future.” They presented several demands at the time, the most prominent of which was improving living conditions and releasing detainees.

Among the most notable activists in the Syrian coast who were arrested due to their criticism of the regime’s policies is journalist Kenan Wakkaf. He was arrested three times before finally being released in May 2022, after which he decided to leave Syria. Additionally, activists Ayman Fares and Ahmed Ibrahim Ismail, who were arrested in August 2023, remain missing.