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Violence

Syria Descending into Lawlessness: UN Report Highlights War Crimes and Humanitarian Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Increased violence along the frontlines in Syria, combined with war crimes on all sides, has left civilians fearful of a "large-scale war". The UN Syria Commission of Inquiry warns that after over a decade of brutal fighting, deadly dynamics are causing new waves of hostilities. Regional tensions are growing, fueled by the Gaza war, increased Israeli attacks against Iranian officials, and Iranian-backed forces in Syria, which resulted in at least three civilian casualties. The Commission is investigating these attacks and notes that Iranian-affiliated groups have targeted US bases in eastern Syria over 100 times, prompting US counter-attacks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Syria Commission of Inquiry reports that civilians in Syria are fearful of a "large-scale war" due to increased violence along the frontlines.
  • The Commission Chair, Paulo Pinheiro, warns that deadly dynamics are causing new waves of hostilities, evoking deeply entrenched grievances among the population in northeast Syria.
  • Regional tensions are growing due to the Gaza war, increased Israeli attacks against Iranian officials, and Iranian-backed forces in Syria, which resulted in at least three civilian casualties.
  • The Commission is investigating attacks, including an alleged Israeli strike on a facility that allegedly produced chemical weapons, which left at least 18 dead.
  • Cluster munitions used by Syrian Government forces in densely populated areas of Idlib have killed or injured over 150 civilians, half of them women and children, which may amount to war crimes.
  • The Commission believes the Syrian government has continued to torture persons in State custody through sexual and gender-based violence, despite an International Court of Justice (ICJ) order to cease these practices.
  • Deaths in State custody were documented, and Syrian authorities impeded families' efforts to locate their arbitrarily detained relatives, often demanding bribes for information or visits.

Statistics:

  • Over 150 civilians have been killed or injured by cluster munitions used by Syrian Government forces in Idlib (half of them women and children).
  • Iranian-affiliated groups have targeted US bases in eastern Syria over 100 times, prompting US counter-attacks.
  • At least 18 people were killed in an alleged Israeli strike on a facility that allegedly produced chemical weapons.
  • Only a quarter of the humanitarian needs for 2024 are funded.
  • 13,000 civilians face acute food insecurity.
  • More than 650,000 children show signs of stunting from severe malnutrition.

Sources:

  • United Nations Syria Commission of Inquiry
  • Paulo Pinheiro, Chair of the UN Syria Commission of Inquiry
  • Hanny Megally, Commissioner of the UN Syria Commission of Inquiry
  • News reports on alleged Israeli strike on a facility and cluster munitions used in Idlib
  • International Court of Justice (ICJ) order to cease torture practices in State custody

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