GENEVA - The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic today released a new report on the brutal violence that tore through Suwayda in July, leaving more than 1,700 people dead and forcing nearly 200,000 from their homes.
This report draws on 409 firsthand accounts from survivors and witnesses across affected communities, alongside extensive field visits to the hardest-hit areas. With access granted by the Syrian government, investigators found widespread devastation-particularly in Druze villages, where tens of thousands of homes, businesses, and places of worship were burned.
"The scale and brutality of the violence and violations documented in Suwayda is deeply distressing," said Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission. "Expanded efforts to pursue accountability for all perpetrators, regardless of affiliation or rank, are urgently needed to rebuild trust among the victim communities, alongside genuine dialogue to resolve root causes."
The Commission documented widespread executions, torture, gender-based violence and the burning of homes among other human rights violations it said may amount to war crimes and, should such elements be established through further investigation, crimes against humanity.
Initially triggered by inter‑community tensions, the July escalation unfolded in three destructive waves of violence-two targeting Druze civilians and one targeting Bedouin civilians.
In the first and deadliest wave, Government forces accompanied by tribal fighters committed widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law against Druze civilians between 14-16 July in western Suwayda and Suwayda city, including murder, torture, arbitrary detention, and pillage. Men identified as Druze were separated from women and children and executed. Others were shot in the streets or killed in their homes alongside family members.
The second wave began on 17 July after Government forces withdrew, following Israeli airstrikes on Suwayda and Damascus. Druze armed groups then attacked Bedouin civilians, committing serious violations of international humanitarian law including murder, torture, arbitrary detention, forced displacement and pillage, ultimately driving almost the entire Bedouin community from areas under their control.
The third and most destructive wave, carried out by tribal fighters who mobilized from late 17 to 19 July, again targeted Druze civilians, in retaliation. Nearly all homes, businesses, and religious sites in up to 35 Druze‑majority or mixed villages were burned and looted, and civilians were killed or abducted. Some Government forces members removed their uniforms and joined the attacks.
Israel's military intervention, and earlier efforts to counter government functioning, centralization and sow division, not only killed and maimed people but also contributed to instability, fueling accusations of treason against Druze community leaders, and prompting further online incitement to hatred and retaliatory attacks against the entire community, and dividing it.
Each wave of violence was accompanied by sectarian insults directed at Druze and Bedouin civilians. The Commission identified clear patterns of targeting based on religious identity, ethnicity, age, and gender. Hospitals became overwhelmed, and bodies piled up as the violence intensified.
Across communities, there were strong calls for justice and renewed intercommunal relations. The Government pledged accountability, granted the Commission access to Suwayda, and launched a National Inquiry, which recently reported the detention of 23 security and army personnel. Limited information has been released regarding investigations into command responsibility.
"Serious violations carried out by government forces and Druze armed groups may amount to war crimes and require expanded prompt, effective and impartial investigations to provide justice and guarantees of non‑recurrence," said Commissioner Fionnuala Ní Aoláin. "The events also raise serious concerns that the attacks may have been part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Suwayda across a subset of government force commanders - requiring further measures by the government to investigate these events as comprising crimes against humanity, including through international support as appropriate."
The Druze community suffered 1,190 men, 99 women, 22 boys, and 31 girls killed. The smaller local Bedouin community suffered 53 men, 9 women, 5 boys, and 3 girls killed. Most were civilians or individuals no longer participating in hostilities, though the Druze and Bedouin men killed also include members of armed groups or civilians directly participating in hostilities. At least 225 government personnel also died, many in Israeli airstrikes on 14-16 July in both Suwayda and Damascus, and additional tribal fatalities were reported. In total, the Commission received reports of more than 1,707 people killed.
In addition, many were abducted, kidnapped or unlawfully detained. While most have since been located and released, around one hundred Druze, twenty Bedouin, and thirty government personnel remain missing, as well as a Syrian Civil Defense volunteer who went missing when assisting evacuations. Initial reports of large numbers of missing women were not substantiated. Three Bedouin women and one girl and three Druze women are still unaccounted for.
The violence had a strong gendered dimension, with men and boys especially targeted. Both Druze and Bedouin communities also reported sexual violence against women and girls, including rape. Only a limited number of cases have been confirmed, and the full extent remains under investigation.
Suwayda governorate remains deeply divided, with political dialogue stalled. Lines of control have not shifted since 19 July, and clashes continue. Reports of intra‑Druze violence and movement restrictions imposed by local Druze armed groups are under investigation.
Of nearly 200,000 people displaced in July, about 155,000-mostly from burned Druze villages-remain unable to return. Nearly the entire Bedouin population also remains forcibly displaced, many still living in inadequate shelters eight months later. Other communities, including Christians and non‑Bedouin Sunnis, report ongoing insecurity and fear of renewed violence.
"While the State is ultimately responsible for ensuring the rights of all are respected on Syrian territory, Druze armed groups also have obligations under international humanitarian law to hold their own ranks accountable for violations, to return the dead and account for the missing, and to ensure the rights of displaced persons to return and respect for their homes and property," said Commissioner Monia Ammar. "We call on all parties to redouble their efforts to meet their legal obligations, protect civilians, and resolve the crisis in Suwayda so that all civilians can return home and rebuild their communities."
The July events saw sharp increases in incitement to hatred and violence, amplified by misinformation. False and fabricated videos and claims, including heinous allegations of harm to fetuses and infants, circulated widely, including by Israeli government officials. No such account was substantiated, but they have deepened mistrust and complicated prospects for reconciliation.
The Commission's report calls for expanded efforts to ensure comprehensive accountability, concrete guarantees and action to prevent recurrence, strengthened confidence building and reconciliation efforts, and human rights compliant measures to counter incitement and hate speech, including online. It urges the international community to provide multilayered support to the government in implementing the Commission's recommendations, especially on the rule of law and accountability, and calls on external actors, including Israel, to halt actions that risk further destabilization and civilian harm.
Background: The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic composed of Commissioners Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Fionnuala Ní Aolaín and Monia Ammar, was established on 22 August 2011 by the UN Human Rights Council through resolution S-17/1. The mandate of the Commission is to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic. The Human Rights Council also tasked the Commission with establishing the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view of ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity, are held accountable. The Human Rights Council has repeatedly extended the Commission's mandate since then, most recently until 31 March 2026.
