A deadly raid tests a revolutionary town’s faith in Syria's new government

Driving north from Damascus, I made my way toward the Lebanese border, through barren apple and cherry orchards, up into the Qalamoun mountains.

As the town of Rankous came into view, 33-year old Abu Jad, a former member of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) who fought against former ruler Bashar al-Assad, was waiting for me on the main street. He waved at me from the darkened window of his SUV and greeted me with a grim smile.

“Welcome to Rankous, the capital of the revolution in Qalamoun,” he said.

Early in the morning of 22 October, the town’s habitual calm was shattered when Syrian security forces stormed homes and shops, rounding up 45 people and killing five.