Repeated Bouts of Violence Put Syria Rebuilding at Risk

A wave of violence that engulfed coastal and western central Syria in January 2025 has put the rebuilding of the country at risk, according to an Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria. The violence resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,400 men, women, and children in massacres in Latakia, Tartus, and Hama governorates. The Commission's report also documented acts that may amount to war crimes, including murder and torture, committed by government security forces and other actors.

Key Takeaways:

• The violence in January 2025 resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,400 men, women, and children in massacres in Latakia, Tartus, and Hama governorates.
• The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria documented acts that may amount to war crimes, including murder and torture, committed by government security forces and other actors.
• The Commission's report highlighted the forced displacement of Alawi civilians in Damascus and western governorates, as well as the brutal killings of loved ones taken from their homes in Sweida.
• The stage is set for further violence if swift action is not taken to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure such acts are never repeated, warned Independent rights expert Paulo Pinheiro.
• The Commission is concerned about growing mistrust between the Druze and Bedouin communities, as well as between these communities and the interim government.
• There is a growing trend of violence and discrimination directed against women, with multiple reports of women and girls being abducted by unknown armed actors and subjected to sexual violence and forced marriage.
• The UN-appointed independent rights expert called on UN Member States to halt Israel's advance into southern Syria, which has seen civilians forcibly displaced and arbitrarily detained, and airstrikes that have reportedly caused civilian casualties.

Statistics:

• An estimated 1,400 men, women, and children were killed in massacres in Latakia, Tartus, and Hama governorates.
• Over 30 villages in majority Druze areas in Sweida have been entirely depopulated, looted, and burned.
• The Commission's investigators met with many families and witnesses who recounted the brutal killings of loved ones taken from their homes in Sweida.
• The 2025 humanitarian appeal for Syria is currently only 19% funded.

Sources:

• M2 PRESSWIRE, "Repeated bouts of violence" put Syria rebuilding at risk: Independent rights investigator (C) 1994-2025 M2 COMMUNICATIONS RDATE: 30102025