Syrian security forces have detained eight individuals suspected of running a kidnapping operation in the Damascus countryside, according to local authorities. The arrests were made after several families reported their loved ones missing following alleged abductions. The suspects were accused of targeting business owners and traders, then demanding ransoms from their families. The operation was carried out following multiple complaints and a security crackdown, officials said.
The detained individuals were found in possession of a cache of weapons, which authorities believe was used to facilitate their criminal activities. The operation took place in the outskirts of Damascus, a region that has seen sporadic violence in recent years. The arrests are part of ongoing efforts by Syrian security agencies to combat organized crime in the area.
Separately, a blast hit a vehicle on the outskirts of Damascus, killing at least one person and injuring others, according to Syrian state media. The incident occurred in the Jaramana area, where security conditions remain tense. The explosion highlights the continued instability in parts of the city despite recent security operations.
The authorities have not yet released further details about the casualties or the cause of the explosion. (aljazeera.com)
