UN Human Rights Office Reports Widespread Violations and Abuses in Sweida, Syria

Strategic Insights -

The city of Sweida in Syria has witnessed widespread violations and abuses, including summary executions, arbitrary killings, kidnappings, and destruction of private property, according to the United Nations human rights office OHCHR. The office has reported that members of the security forces, individuals affiliated with the interim authorities, and other armed elements, including the Druze and Bedouin, have been involved in the abuses. The UN refugee agency UNHCR has noted that many hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of injured, and nearly 2,000 families have been displaced from areas affected by the fighting.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN human rights office OHCHR has reported widespread violations and abuses, including summary executions, arbitrary killings, kidnappings, and destruction of private property, in the city of Sweida, Syria.
  • Members of the security forces, individuals affiliated with the interim authorities, and other armed elements, including the Druze and Bedouin, have been involved in the abuses.
  • Nearly 2,000 families have been displaced from areas affected by the fighting.
  • Many hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of injured, and the health and aid systems are struggling to keep up with the humanitarian needs.
  • The UNHCR spokesperson has expressed concern about reports of civilian casualties resulting from Israel's airstrikes on Sweida, Dara'a, and central Damascus.
  • The violence and displacement have sparked "considerable" humanitarian needs, with the health and aid systems struggling to keep up.
  • The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has dispatched enough trauma and emergency surgery kits for 1,750 interventions to the area, but many remain undelivered due to access constraints.
  • The UNHCR has reported that people are unable to buy bottled water or food due to the insecurity, and water shortages are becoming a increasingly pressing issue.
  • Humanitarian infrastructure has been affected, with a Syrian Arab Red Crescent warehouse severely damaged by shelling on July 15.

Statistics:

  • Nearly 2,000 families have been displaced from areas affected by the fighting in Sweida, Syria (Source: OCHA).
  • 1,750 trauma and emergency surgery kits have been dispatched by the WHO to the area (Source: OCHA).
  • Many hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of injured, and the health and aid systems are struggling to keep up with the humanitarian needs (Source: UNHCR).
  • Israel has launched airstrikes on Sweida, Dara'a, and central Damascus (Source: OHCHR).
  • Water shortages are becoming increasingly pressing issue due to electricity outages (Source: UNHCR).
  • A Syrian Arab Red Crescent warehouse was severely damaged by shelling on July 15 (Source: UNHCR).

Sources:

  • OHCHR (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/pages/home.aspx)
  • UNHCR (http://www.unhcr.org/)
  • OCHA (http://www.unocha.org/)
  • WHO (http://www.who.int/en/)
  • Contify.com