International Commission of Inquiry: Syria's transition is fragile

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria stated that "Syria's fragile transition is being undermined by ongoing violations," calling for justice, comprehensive reforms, and international support to bolster stability.

The Commission's report, released yesterday, highlighted serious violations committed in Homs, Hama, Latakia, and Tartus, emphasizing the need for security sector and judicial reform, as well as disarmament and reintegration.

The report documents "extrajudicial killings, torture, enforced disappearances, and violations of housing and land rights, particularly against communities perceived as having supported the previous government."

The report noted that "in March 2025, government forces and affiliated militias killed more than 1,400 people, mostly Alawite civilians, in Latakia, Tartus, Homs, and Hama, while the government failed to take sufficient steps to hold senior officials accountable." In July 2025, "more than 1,500 people, mostly Druze and Bedouin civilians, were killed in Sweida by government forces and affiliated armed groups."

The report concluded that there were “clear patterns of targeting based on religious or ethnic affiliation, age, or gender,” noting that these violations could amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.

The commission is also investigating violations by the Syrian Interim Government in northeast Syria since the beginning of this year, including “extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, sexual violence, and violations of housing and land rights.”

The commission noted that it had received “multiple reports of women and girls being abducted by unidentified armed men, some of whom were subjected to sexual violence and forced marriage.” It stated that “in many cases, despite reporting their disappearance to local authorities, families reported that no action was taken to investigate or follow up on these cases.”

The commission also confirmed that it is investigating Israeli military operations inside Syria that have caused widespread harm to civilians and mass displacement, including airstrikes and raids in Quneitra, the demolition of homes, and the transfer of detainees to Israel.

UN Commissioner Mnia Ammar called on the interim government to engage constructively with the international human rights system, while the head of the commission, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, said that "the international community must not stand idly by, and only through sustained support can Syria complete its transition towards a political environment that guarantees human rights for all."

Sh-S

ANHA