War Crimes Allegations Emerge in Syria's Interim Government Forces
A UN investigation has revealed widespread and systematic sectarian violence in Syria, with war crimes allegedly committed by interim government forces and pro-Assad fighters against Alawite civilians. The report, released yesterday, highlights extrajudicial killings, torture, and looting of primarily civilian Alawite communities by members of armed groups under the control of or affiliated with the interim Syrian government. The violence, which began in January and peaked in March, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people, mostly civilians.
Key Takeaways:
- The UN Syria Commission of Inquiry found evidence of war crimes committed by members of Syrian interim government forces and pro-Assad fighters, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and looting of primarily civilian Alawite communities.
- The violence, which began in January and peaked in March, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people, mostly civilians.
- The commission found no evidence of a governmental policy or plan to carry out such attacks, but rather suggested that some government forces sought to protect civilians.
- The report names specific government-linked factions whose members were alleged to have engaged in acts that may amount to war crimes.
- Syrian foreign minister Asaad alShaibani acknowledged the alleged violations and stated that the government would use the commission's recommendations as a "road map".
- The findings of the report are in line with a separate report released in July by an investigative committee that found no evidence of a planned attack by the government.
Statistics:
- Approximately 1,400 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the sectarian violence that rocked Syria's coast in March.
- The violence was "widespread and systematic" and involved extrajudicial killings, torture, and looting of primarily civilian Alawite communities.
- The report found no evidence of a governmental policy or plan to carry out such attacks.