Sydney gang warfare: Why more bloodshed may be on horizon

Sydney gang warfare: is more bloodshed on the horizon?

Words: Amelia SawProducer: Bianca Farmakis

It was the summer that saw tit-for-tat shootings erupt over Sydney, as the bloody tribal warfare between two crime families — the Hamzys and the Alameddines — played out, leaving several gang members dead or in jail.

Now more bloodshed could be on the horizon, as gang members’ sentences expire and police are left with no choice but to see them released back onto the street.

says Mark Morri, Crime Editor for The Daily Telegraph.

Morri explains a similar feud — that occurred between two unrelated families the Razzaks and the Darwiches — ended with “four or five” dead between 2001 - 2009.

The foundations for the summer shootings were laid when underworld figure Bilal Hamze, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in the Sydney CBD. It was believed to be a million dollar hit.

Bilal is the cousin of Bassam Hamzy, the Brothers for Life gang leader, who is serving time for murder in Goulburn Supermax.

A shooting at World Gym at Prospect in Sydney’s West in December 2021, saw an Alameddine associate present. It’s alleged that members of the Hamzy clan tried to kill this person, but their bullets went into a childcare centre, narrowly missing the kids.

Five weeks later, gangster Ghassan Amoun was gunned down in South Wentworthville, on January 6. Amoun, the brother of Bassam Hamzy, had been out of prison just days before his death, and police had warned him he was a target.

Police swooped in late January, recognising the only way to prevent further retaliation killings was to take as many key players off the streets, resulting in the incarceration of a number of high ranking members of both clans.

Law enforcement now believes the belt has been significantly tightened. But concerns hover over the release of Mohammed “Little Crazy” Hamzy, due for parole on February 25, 2023. Little Crazy is currently serving eight-and-a-half years for the shooting of two men in Greenacre in 2012.

“Police will be very concerned that [his release] could escalate or reignite what they believe that they’ve been able to quash recently. Will [Little Crazy] feel the need to show that he is after revenge or... will he try to have a new life?”

Mark Morri Crime Editor, the Daily Telegraph

With Bassam Hamzy's jail sentence unlikely to end soon and after the deaths of his brothers Mejid and Ghassan, the family’s best known member has been dethroned as king. Younger cousin Ibrahem Hamze, currently on remand, is now looked to for guidance. It's a big shift in the Hamzy family’s dynamic.

PICTURED: Tareek Hamzy, Ibrahem Hamze

Ibrahem, alongside his cousins Tareek and Haissam Hamzy are considered the new generation of Hamzys and were earlier this year all charged over an alleged plot to kill an Alameddine associate at the Prospect gym.

PICTURED:Ghassan Amoun, Ibrahem Hamze (prior to Amoun's death)

Former senior NSW Police officer Ken “Slasher” McKay remembers the Hamzy clan before their current contingent fell into a bloody war with the Alameddine network. He believes the Hamzys’ involvement in feuds is passed down generationally.

PICTURED: Haissam Hamzy, Ibrahem Hamze

“Their whole thinking is they’re owed all this stuff. This not working and this entitlement continues to be passed down. They’ll emulate him (Bassam) because they just don’t grow up and grow out of it. It’s a way of life that’s so ingrained in them.”

Ken “Slasher” McKay Former senior NSW Police officer

In the latest update, on March 10, two men were arrested over the murder of Mejid Hamzy (pictured) at Condell Park in October 2020 — the killing that began Sydney’s current gang war.

Words: Amelia Saw Josh Hanrahan Mark Morri Producer: Bianca Farmakis Learn more

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Sydney gang warfare: is more bloodshed on the horizon?

It was the summer that saw tit-for-tat shootings erupt over Sydney, as the bloody tribal warfare between two crime families — the Hamzys and the Alameddines — played out, leaving several gang members dead or in jail.

Now more bloodshed could be on the horizon, as gang members’ sentences expire and police are left with no choice but to see them released back onto the street.

says Mark Morri, Crime Editor for The Daily Telegraph.

“It’s not over,”

Morri explains a similar feud — that occurred between two unrelated families the Razzaks and the Darwiches — ended with “four or five” dead between 2001 - 2009.

“People went to jail, people came out of jail, and it started again. This is very similar scenario.”

Mark Morri

The foundations for the summer shootings were laid when underworld figure Bilal Hamze, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in the Sydney CBD. It was believed to be a million dollar hit.

Bilal is the cousin of Bassam Hamzy, the Brothers for Life gang leader, who is serving time for murder in Goulburn Supermax.

WHO ARE THE HAMZYS?

Bilal’s mother Maha Hamze was a target of violence when her home was shot up in February, 2021.

Police believe someone connected to the Hamzy clan may have taken action.

A shooting at World Gym at Prospect in Sydney’s West in December 2021, saw an Alameddine associate present. It’s alleged that members of the Hamzy clan tried to kill this person, but their bullets went into a childcare centre, narrowly missing the kids.

VIOLENCE ESCALATES

Five weeks later, gangster Ghassan Amoun was gunned down in South Wentworthville, on January 6. Amoun, the brother of Bassam Hamzy, had been out of prison just days before his death, and police had warned him he was a target.

Police swooped in late January, recognising the only way to prevent further retaliation killings was to take as many key players off the streets, resulting in the incarceration of a number of high ranking members of both clans.

POLICE PRESENCE

Law enforcement now believes the belt has been significantly tightened. But concerns hover over the release of Mohammed “Little Crazy” Hamzy, due for parole on February 25, 2023. Little Crazy is currently serving eight-and-a-half years for the shooting of two men in Greenacre in 2012.

CRIME CLEAN UP

“Police will be very concerned that [his release] could escalate or reignite what they believe that they’ve been able to quash recently. Will [Little Crazy] feel the need to show that he is after revenge or... will he try to have a new life?”

A DETHRONING

Ibrahem, alongside his cousins Tareek and Haissam Hamzy are considered the new generation of Hamzys and were earlier this year all charged over an alleged plot to kill an Alameddine associate at the Prospect gym.

NEXT GENERATION

Former senior NSW Police officer Ken “Slasher” McKay remembers the Hamzy clan before their current contingent fell into a bloody war with the Alameddine network. He believes the Hamzys’ involvement in feuds is passed down generationally.

“Their whole thinking is they’re owed all this stuff. This not working and this entitlement continues to be passed down. They’ll emulate him (Bassam) because they just don’t grow up and grow out of it. It’s a way of life that’s so ingrained in them.”

In the latest update, on March 10, two men were arrested over the murder of Mejid Hamzy (pictured) at Condell Park in October 2020 — the killing that began Sydney’s current gang war.

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