A new wave of violence is sweeping through Sydney’s criminal underworld, with familiar signs — bodyguards, relocated crime figures, and a dedicated police taskforce — suggesting that the city’s gang wars have reignited.
NSW Police have responded by establishing Taskforce Falcon, a high-priority operation aimed at containing the conflict before more lives are lost — whether gang-affiliated or innocent.
Within a day of launching, the taskforce scored an early breakthrough, uncovering a so-called “kill car” loaded with two firearms and a jerry can. A 16-year-old has since been charged in relation to the discovery. Detective Superintendent Jason Fox expressed concern over organised crime groups recruiting young people.
“They’re lured by money, peer pressure — they see other kids their age involved and think it’s the path to take,” he said.
Criminal Figures Increase Security Measures
Recent violence has pushed figures like Samimjan Azari to adopt extreme security precautions. Azari, who narrowly escaped a shooting that killed Dawood Zakaria and injured lawyer Sylvan Singh at a Granville intersection, has reportedly been using bodyguards and keeping a low profile for months.
Azari, 26, has taken on a senior role within the Alameddine crime network. A prior attempt on his life in Brighton-Le-Sands in February prompted the enhanced protection.
Authorities suspect Azari was the intended target in last weekend’s shooting and may have been followed while reporting for bail with his solicitor, Mr Singh.
Singh is expected to recover from his injuries. His law firm has declined to comment, and its doors remained shut during an ABC visit.
An Innocent Life Lost
The shooting death of 23-year-old plumber John Versace in Condell Park on May 19 marked a turning point for law enforcement. Versace had no criminal ties, his only previous offence being traffic-related.
His killing — which may be a case of mistaken identity — is believed to be the eighth such death involving an innocent person since Sydney’s gang violence surged in 2020.
A video of the aftermath, showing distraught family members, was widely circulated online.
Emerging Conflict Between Rival Factions
Detectives are investigating whether the latest violence stems from a power struggle between two rival groups associated with the Alameddine family: Ready 4 War and KVT.
Ready 4 War, previously described in court as the drug-distribution wing of the Alameddine network, was led by Asaad Alahmad — Rafat Alameddine’s brother-in-law — who is now serving a prison sentence.
KVT, a Mount Druitt-based gang made up largely of young Pacific Islander men, has been linked to multiple serious crimes and was once closely aligned with the Alameddines. However, sources say the relationship has deteriorated significantly.
With the Alameddine leadership having fled to Lebanon in 2023 to escape police pressure, their influence in Sydney may now be under threat.
Instagram Clues and Power Shifts
In a show of allegiance, rapper and accused crime associate Ali Younes recently posted a photo with Rafat Alameddine and Masood Zakaria — brother of the late Dawood Zakaria — with a cryptic caption: “What’s understood doesn’t need to be explained,” followed by a blood emoji.
Masood Zakaria, currently in custody on conspiracy to murder charges, may have had to watch his brother’s funeral remotely. His attendance at the service, held at Auburn Mosque and Rookwood Cemetery, was deemed highly unlikely due to his high-security status.
Masood is awaiting trial over a 2021 plot to kill rival Ibrahem Hamze and failed to appear via video link at a scheduled Supreme Court hearing on Thursday.
Dawood Zakaria’s Path Through Crime
While not a senior criminal figure, Dawood Zakaria often followed in the footsteps of his brother Masood, including their association with the infamous Brothers 4 Life gang, once led by feared crime boss Bassam Hamzy.
Zakaria’s criminal history began in his teens, with his most serious run-in in 2012 when he was convicted of robbery in company and received a two-year intensive corrections order.
His links to gangland activity also included proximity to past shootings, such as a 2013 incident where a young relative was shot after gunmen targeting Masood fired through the front door of their Blacktown home.
Three days before his death, Zakaria was due in court on a minor drug charge. He failed to appear and was convicted and fined in absentia.
