"Armed opposition groups appeared to have deliberately destroyed religious sites in mixed areas of Northern Syria, in November and December 2012, Human Rights Watch said following
investigations in Latakia and Idlib governorates. An armed opposition
group destroyed a Shia place of worship in Idlib governorate, and two
Christian churches in Latakia governorate were looted. In all three
cases evidence examined by Human Rights Watch suggests, and witnesses
stated, that the attacks took place after the area fell to opposition
control and government forces had left the area. While some opposition leaders have pledged to protect all Syrians, in
practice the opposition has failed to properly address the unjustified
attacks against minority places of worship, Human Rights Watch said. The
opposition also has failed to rein in gunmen engaging in looting and
other criminal activities, like kidnappings. Human Rights Watch urged
armed opposition groups to protect all religious sites in areas under
their control and to discipline members who loot or kidnap." The report ended by Human Rights Watch extending an apology for the armed groups for the mild report.