Amnesty International has released a report detailing allegations of systemic executions of Druze minority members by Syrian government forces and affiliated groups during a violent outbreak in July. The organization claims to possess evidence confirming that 46 Druze individuals were executed during sectarian clashes that began on July 13, which included confrontations between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin groups. This violence subsequently escalated, resulting in the involvement of Syrian government forces and tribal fighters from across the country.
According to Amnesty, while Syrian authorities have asserted that their military intervened to quell the fighting, numerous witnesses, Druze factions, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights have countered that the government sided with the Bedouin fighters and perpetrated abuses against the Druze community. The Observatory has reported that the overall death toll from the violence exceeds 2,000, including 789 Druze civilians who allegedly faced “summary executions” carried out by personnel from the country’s defense and interior ministries.
The report indicates that between July 15 and 16, the targeted executions took place in several locations around Sweida city, including public squares, private residences, a school, a hospital, and a ceremonial hall. Amnesty has referenced “verified videos” showing armed individuals in military and security uniforms, some adorned with official insignia, executing unarmed citizens.
In its investigation, Amnesty employed a variety of evidence-gathering methods, which included analyzing photographs, assessing weapon types, and conducting interviews with witnesses. They indicated that preliminary findings were shared with both the interior and defense ministries, although no response was received from the authorities.
In response to the allegations, an interior ministry spokesperson stated that the government is willing to collaborate with any entity that has documented evidence of misconduct during the events in Sweida. Furthermore, the Syrian administration has established an investigative committee tasked with providing findings within a three-month time frame and has committed to upholding accountability following the surfacing of videos depicting unlawful killings.
Interestingly, at least four individuals captured in the verified videos were seen wearing an insignia associated with the Islamic State group; however, IS has not claimed responsibility for any attacks in Sweida. Eyewitness accounts following the withdrawal of government forces reported bodies lying in the streets of the city.
Amnesty’s Syria researcher, Diana Semaan, emphasized that the actions of government or affiliated forces in executing unarmed individuals constitute an extrajudicial execution, a severe violation of international law. She called for a prompt, independent investigation into these alleged executions and urged that any perpetrators be held accountable through fair judicial proceedings.
The report also mentions that Amnesty is currently examining credible reports of abductions carried out by Druze armed groups and Bedouin fighters. Meanwhile, residents of Sweida have expressed deep concern over the dire humanitarian situation in the province, particularly given that the main road to Damascus was blocked for over a month prior to reopening recently.
