Credible reports of executions by armed groups in Sweida: UN

By Al Mayadeen
Source: News websites
18 Jul 2025 15:15
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UN raises concern over credible reports of extrajudicial executions and widespread violations in Syria’s Sweida province amid ongoing clashes.

Syrian citizens ride in front of a shop that was burned during clashes between Syrian government forces and Druze militias on the outskirts of Sweida city, southern Syria, on July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

The United Nations Human Rights Office confirmed it has received credible reports of widespread violations, including summary executions, committed by Syrian security forces and affiliated armed groups in the southern province of Sweida.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk issued a strong appeal to Syria’s interim authorities, urging them to ensure justice and accountability for the killings and other reported abuses during the recent wave of violence south of the country.

“This bloodshed and the violence must stop, and the protection of all people must be the utmost priority, in line with international human rights law,” Türk said in a statement from Geneva.

According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the violations include not only extrajudicial killings, but also kidnappings and the destruction of private property. These acts were reportedly carried out by both Syrian security forces and armed factions linked to the interim authorities, as well as other elements from the Druze and Bedouin communities.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) noted that as of Thursday, nearly 600 deaths had occurred, which included at least 300 Druze (including at least 146 fighters and 154 reportedly "summarily executed" by government forces), 257 government soldiers, and 18 Bedouin fighters, with three Bedouin civilians reportedly killed by Druze fighters.

Deadly clashes in Sweida

The province of Sweida has witnessed intense fighting in recent days between Druze factions and tribal armed groups, adding that the confrontations have spread across several villages and towns since July 13. Although Syrian regime forces were deployed to stabilize the situation, the violence escalated before a ceasefire was reportedly declared. The UN called for calm and reiterated the obligation of all actors to protect civilians under international law.

Meanwhile, "Israel" carried out airstrikes on southern Syria, including near Sweida and Daraa, as well as in central Damascus under the guise of protecting the Druze population from Syrian regime forces. The UN also expressed concern over civilian casualties resulting from those airstrikes.

Call for justice and independent investigations

Commissioner Türk emphasized the need for independent investigations into the killings and abuses, warning that impunity could embolden further violations, reiterating that all responsible parties, whether state or non-state, must be held accountable.