A joint investigation by Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) and the Women Who Won the War platform has identified organized digital harassment campaigns against Syrian dissidents and female activists. Researchers analyzed data from more than 8,000 social media accounts and 40 public pages to track the origins of these operations. The findings reveal that these coordinated campaigns targeted individuals throughout 2025 and 2026. This full analysis, conducted by the two organizations, shows the scale of digital surveillance and targeted interference aimed at silencing voices within the Syrian community. The investigation provides evidence of persistent online pressure directed at activists within the Syrian community during this two-year period, noting the systematic nature of these digital mobilization efforts.
Coordinated Digital Mobilization Tactics
Leaked messages from a WhatsApp group operated by the Rural Damascus Media Directorate revealed internal efforts to influence public perception. These communications detailed a strategy to mobilize opposition against a sit-in originally scheduled for 17 April 2026. The documents show that members of the organization used the platform to organize public opinion responses intended to disrupt the planned event. Participants in the group discussed specific messaging tactics to counter the gathering, effectively coordinating their online influence to diminish the impact of the protest. These findings provide insight into the operational methods employed by the Rural Damascus Media Directorate to discourage public participation in organized protests. The activity identified in the group chat correlates with broader patterns of online pressure directed toward activists within the region during the 2026 period, revealing how digital platforms are leveraged to suppress dissent.
Targeting Activists and Organizations
The Political Affairs Directorate closed the offices belonging to the organization of Heba Ezzeddin al-Hajji in Kafruhum on 20 April 2025. This closure represented a significant escalation in the administrative actions taken against civil society entities in the area. This action preceded the arrest of Nour Suleiman, who was taken into custody at the Political Security branch in Damascus on 26 July 2025. Authorities held Nour Suleiman for three days following her detention before her eventual release.
Public reactions to the arrest occurred online shortly after the event, with various accounts engaging in campaigns to discredit the detainee. A post authored by Manar Hamsho on 29 July 2025 advocated for the torture of Nour Suleiman. This specific post received over 1,300 interactions by March 2026, demonstrating the reach of inflammatory content within these digital circles.
Hossam Khattab, the Public Prosecutor in Damascus, addressed the legal status of the detainee following her release. Judge Hossam Khattab stated on 31 July 2025: "Suleiman was released due to procedural irregularities surrounding her summons, while noting that legal proceedings for 'inciting sectarianism and spreading hatred' remain ongoing." This statement clarified the official position regarding the legal standing of Nour Suleiman following her brief period in custody.
