Syrian authorities arrest Aleppo woman for practicing 'witchcraft and sorcery' in video

Syrian Internal Security Forces arrested a woman identified as A.Y. in Aleppo after a viral video allegedly showed her performing an act of sorcery. Authorities launched an investigation to take legal measures, framing the action as curbing fraudulent practices. The article notes historical persecution of Yezidis and other minorities under similar accusations. The footage showed A.Y. burning an object before a crowd confronted her. The article also references a 2023 USCIRF report on HTS atrocities against religious minorities.

Syrian Internal Security Forces arrested a woman identified only as A.Y. in Aleppo after a viral video allegedly showed her performing an act of sorcery or witchcraft. The security forces announced an investigation into the clip, stating they would take necessary legal measures within the framework of curbing fraudulent practices and exploitation of citizens. The footage showed A.Y. burning an unidentified object on a stone before a crowd confronted her, with some members putting out the fire and seemingly kicking her. According to the independent Arabic site Al-Mashhad, A.Y. has already been placed under arrest. The article contextualizes the arrest by noting that Aleppo's small Yezidi community has faced persecution over accusations of devil worship and witchcraft, as the Syrian state does not recognize Yezidis as an independent religious group. It also references a 2023 USCIRF report detailing how HTS's Hisba morality police killed, raped, and looted from religious minorities in Deir al-Zor under similar accusations. The article notes that HTS, now led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been removed from US and UK terrorist lists since seizing control of Syria in December 2024.