How Syrian forces emptied Alawite suburb: X means stay, O means go

A house is marked with X and O symbols as Syrian authorities carry out eviction orders in the predominantly Alawite neighbourhood of al-Somaria, in Damascus, Syria, August 29, 2025. REUTERS/Feras Dalatey

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AL-SOMARIA, Syria (Reuters) - Syrian security forces stormed the rundown Damascus suburb in late August, toting guns, swords and eviction orders. In their wake, they left the district's homes spray-painted with big black "X"s and "O"s: marking who could stay and who must go.