Social media pages loyal to the Assad regime said that a medical student from Aleppo University was severely beaten by a fighter in the Baath Brigades militia at the main gate of the university.
According to the Aleppo News Network Facebook page, eyewitnesses said that the student was insulted and beaten on Saturday “unchecked,” saying that the student was attacked for looking at the Brigade member "in a funny way," according to what the militiaman claimed at the time of the confrontation.
The incident sparked a number of angry reactions about the ongoing violations by militia members in Aleppo against civilians, with the same page launching the hashtag “#togetheragainstshabiha,” also asking: “How long will our children be disregarded? And do we send them so that a corrupt member in the Baath Brigades can humiliate them?” It continued: “Are we to be beaten and kicked like cattle?”
The Baath Brigades were founded in Aleppo University after the Syrian revolution began in March 2011 with the aim of stamping out protests inside the bases and colleges of the university and to stand at checkpoints to inspect students.
Brigade members undergo military training courses in bearing weapons and patrols and countering protests.
The city of Aleppo, which is under the control of Assad regime forces and allied militias from Iran, has witnessed a deterioration in security and a rise in incidents of killing, theft and violations against residents. These crimes are usually committed by members of these militias amid a lack of accountability.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
