Clashes broke out on July 13 between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin tribes in Suwayda. The conflict escalated with the involvement of Syrian government forces before a US-brokered ceasefire was announced on July 19.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported in late August that the death toll from the Suwayda violence had surpassed 2,000, including “789 civilians summarily executed” by Syrian government forces. The monitor has reported near-daily ceasefire violations since mid-June.
“The Syrian government must hold members of government security and military forces and members of affiliated forces accountable for the extrajudicial executions of Druze men and women in Suwayda,” Amnesty said, adding that verified testimonies revealed “46 Druze men and women deliberately and unlawfully killed.”
It said that “executions took place in a public square, residential homes, a school, a hospital, and a ceremonial hall.”
Amnesty also revealed that its findings include “verified videos of armed men in security and military uniforms, some bearing official insignia, executing unarmed people.”
Syrian authorities in July formed an investigative committee to probe the Suwayda violence, and the body is expected to deliver its findings within three months.
“The horrific human rights violations in Suwayda are yet another grim reminder of the deadly consequences of impunity for sectarian-based killings in Syria, which has emboldened government and affiliated forces to kill without fear of accountability,” said Diana Seeman, Amnesty’s Syria researcher.
She urged the authorities in Damascus to “promptly, independently, impartially, and transparently investigate these executions and hold perpetrators accountable in fair proceedings.”
The rights group also documented “at least four armed men” in military uniforms that “wore a black patch bearing the Islamic declaration of faith, a symbol closely associated with the Islamic State (ISIS)” working alongside state security forces.
ISIS has not claimed responsibility for the attacks in Suwayda.
“Instead of fearing justice, men in military and security uniforms, and men affiliated with them, filmed themselves executing people in Suwayda. An independent and impartial investigation is crucial to identify perpetrators, hold them accountable and address impunity,” said Seeman.
Humanitarian and health conditions have severely deteriorated in the Druze-majority province, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told Rudaw late August. Residents face shortages of food, medicine, and basic services.
Continued insecurity and road closures have hindered the delivery of aid from the UN, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, and other humanitarian organizations.
Amid the Suwayda violence, Israel conducted airstrikes targeting Syrian military and government sites.
Israel’s stated reason for the strikes - which included the bombing of a Syrian defense ministry building in Damascus - was to protect the Druze community, citing deep cultural and familial ties between Israeli and Syrian Druze.
