Prominent Shi’a cleric assassinated in Homs

A prominent Shi’a cleric was assassinated in Homs, Syria on 9 July.

CSW sources report that Sheikh Rassoul Shahoud was walking back to his home at around 6pm when unidentified armed men shot him dead. The incident sparked protests in the victim’s home village of Al-Mazraa near Homs. The authorities have said that they will investigate the attack.

Sheikh Shahoud’s murder is the latest in a series of religiously motivated attacks targeting religious minorities since the fall of former president Bashir al-Assad in December 2024. Nearly 1,500 civilians have lost their lives in widespread sectarian violence, including sexual violence, targeting the Alawite community in the country’s coastal region that has been ongoing since March 2025. An independent commission of inquiry appointed by Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa is due to publish a report on this violence on 10 July.

In April, dozens of members of the Druze community were killed in clashes that broke out after a voice clip circulated on social media purporting to depict a Druze cleric insulting the Prophet Mohammed. In addition, at least 67 members of the Al-Murshidi, or Al-Murshidiyyah, religious community have been killed and dozens more injured in sectarian attacks over the past six months.

CSW’s CEO Scot Bower said: ‘We extend our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Sheikh Shahoud. We urge President al-Sharaa to deal swiftly and decisively with sectarian incitement, ensuring that all Syrian citizens receive protection from sectarian violence and equal treatment under the law. We also call on the international community to support the Syrian people at this critical time of transition. The Syrian government must be encouraged to speed up the transitional justice process and launch a national dialogue initiative to address sectarianism and divisions between different community groups without further delay.’