By Anietie Anii-Bassey
Human Rights Watch on Thursday sharply criticized the Syrian government over what it described as a persistent failure to hold perpetrators accountable for sectarian violence that swept through the southern province of Sweida in July, leaving hundreds of civilians dead and deepening fears among minority communities.
In a detailed report, the organization said it documented 86 cases of what it called “apparently unlawful killings” of civilians during clashes between government-backed armed Bedouin clans and Druze militias.
Of those killed, 67 were Druze civilians and 19 were Bedouin, according to the findings. The group said the true toll is likely higher, given the difficulty of access and the fear among witnesses of speaking openly.
Human Rights Watch said its conclusions were based on interviews with eyewitnesses, survivors, and local residents, who described widespread abuses committed by all sides during the fighting.
According to their accounts, Syrian government forces were directly involved in destroying civilian property and carrying out summary executions during operations in Druze-majority areas. Witnesses said homes were damaged or burned, and civilians were killed without due process amid the chaos of the clashes.
At the same time, the report accused armed Bedouin groups allied with government forces of looting Druze homes, abducting civilians, and carrying out acts of intimidation.
Druze militias, for their part, were also blamed for abuses, including retaliatory attacks against Bedouin civilians, as well as arbitrary detentions during what residents described as revenge raids that spiraled beyond the original confrontations.
The violence in Sweida, a province long considered relatively insulated from the worst of Syria’s conflict, underscored the fragility of security in the country’s south and highlighted the challenges facing President Ahmad al-Sharaa as he struggles to consolidate authority after years of war.
The clashes represented a major political and security setback for a government that has pledged to restore stability and win the trust of Syria’s diverse religious and ethnic communities.
Human Rights Watch said the lack of transparent investigations and prosecutions has reinforced a culture of impunity that has plagued Syria throughout the conflict. The group warned that without credible accountability mechanisms, sectarian tensions are likely to deepen and cycles of retaliation could intensify, placing civilians at continued risk.
For the Druze community, the violence has been particularly unsettling. Under the rule of former president Bashar Assad, Druze areas enjoyed a degree of autonomy and largely avoided direct involvement in the civil war. Many Druze leaders sought to keep their communities out of the fighting, prioritizing local security over alignment with any major armed faction.
Since Assad’s removal from power in December 2024, however, Druze communities have found themselves navigating an uncertain political landscape.
While some hoped the new leadership would usher in a more inclusive and accountable system, the events in Sweida have fueled skepticism and anxiety about the intentions and capabilities of the current government, particularly given its Islamist roots and reliance on irregular armed groups.
Human Rights Watch urged Syrian authorities to carry out independent and impartial investigations into all alleged abuses in Sweida, regardless of the perpetrators’ affiliations, and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
It also called on the government to rein in allied militias, protect civilians, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to the rule of law.
Without meaningful accountability, the group warned, Syria risks repeating the same patterns of violence and repression that have devastated the country for more than a decade, further alienating minorities and undermining any prospects for lasting peace.
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