Damascus – Syria | October 26, 2026
An investigation published by Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) on October 21, 2026, revealed coordinated online campaigns that targeted Syrian dissidents, female journalists and female activists during 2025 and 2026, amid accusations against media officials and responses denying some of the investigation's findings.
The investigation was prepared by journalists Nardin Al-Rawi and Sami Sabir, drawing on documents, digital conversations and an analysis of the activity of accounts and pages on social media platforms.
More than 8,000 accounts under scrutiny
The investigation team tracked more than 8,000 accounts, analyzed the interactions of more than 40 accounts and pages, and documented three cases of targeting, in addition to monitoring more than 1,300 interactions on a single post.
The investigation concluded that there were patterns of coordinated online activity aimed, according to the journalists' findings, at attacking opposition figures, defaming Syrian female activists and journalists, and influencing public debate.
From closed WhatsApp groups to public pages
According to the documents presented in the investigation, some coordination efforts began within a WhatsApp group co-administered by media officials, before the messages and statements moved to public pages on social media.
The investigation examined a campaign that targeted a sit-in over living conditions and rights in Damascus on April 17, 2026.
Conversations published as part of the investigation showed coordination to prepare a statement opposing the sit-in and circulate it through multiple accounts and pages, coinciding with activity by accounts that had previously had limited engagement.
Media officials named in the investigation
The investigation named media officials and workers, including Fadi Shabat, head of the Digital Media Department at the Rif Dimashq Media Directorate, in the context of presenting conversations related to the coordination of messages and campaigns.
Shabat denied that his department runs fake accounts or receives official instructions to steer public opinion, stressing that his contributions within the digital groups represent his personal views.
Targeting of dissidents, female journalists and female activists
The investigation documented three cases of targeting and shed light on how accusations and messages moved from limited groups to public pages, and the defamation campaigns and pressure on targeted individuals that may result.
The findings raise serious questions about media transparency, freedom of expression, and the limits of using institutional influence to shape public opinion.
⚖️ Legal and editorial clarification
The findings and accusations contained herein are attributed to the ARIJ investigation and do not constitute judicial rulings establishing that the named individuals committed crimes or ran fake accounts. Nor may the findings be generalized to all workers in Syrian media institutions.
Original investigation: https://arij.net/investigations/syria-coordinated-campaigns-targeting-activists/
Investigation by: Nardin Al-Rawi and Sami Sabir.
Source: ARIJ (Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism).
HANZALA Digital Media News is not opinion
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