War in Syria: Civilians Killed Mainly in Clashes, Ambushes, and Massacres

Strategic Insights -

War in Syria has caused a decade-long conflict, resulting in most deaths attributed to the use of multiple weapons. Civilians have been killed mainly in clashes, ambushes, and massacres, according to a report presented by the UN Chief of Human Rights. Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that the greatest number of documented deaths were caused by the use of multiple weapons and have occurred during clashes, ambushes, and massacres. Other deaths were caused by heavy explosive weapons, small arms and light weapons, planted explosives, chemical weapons, and unexploded remnants of war. The report also clarifies the cause of death by weapon type in the documented death cases but does not provide a complete picture of the weapons and methods used in the conflict.

Key Takeaways:

  • Most deaths in Syria have been attributed to the use of multiple weapons, including clashes, ambushes, and massacres.
  • The report presents new information on the actors who allegedly caused the documented deaths, with many attributed to the government and its allies, as well as non-state armed groups.
  • Rural areas of Damascus, Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Idlib, and Homs recorded more civilian deaths than urban areas.
  • Over the decade in question, 143,350 civilian deaths were documented, with 61,800 occurring in rural areas of Damascus, 51,563 in Aleppo, 38,041 in Deir ez-Zor, 36,536 in Idlib, and 29,983 in Homs.
  • The human toll of the conflict has been "devastating," with lives being treated as "superfluous goods under the gaze of the world."
  • The UN Human Rights Chief urges the international community to unite and take more concrete action to stop the atrocities and bring justice to the victims and survivors.

Statistics:

  • 350,209 documented deaths resulting directly from the conflict
  • 143,350 civilian deaths documented
  • 61,800 civilian deaths in rural areas of Damascus
  • 51,563 civilian deaths in Aleppo
  • 38,041 civilian deaths in Deir ez-Zor
  • 36,536 civilian deaths in Idlib
  • 29,983 civilian deaths in Homs