The human rights organization has called on the Syrian government to hold its forces accountable for the deliberate and unlawful killings, which it has classified as crimes under international law. The investigation is built on verified videos, weapons analysis, and powerful eyewitness testimonies that paint a picture of a coordinated campaign of violence in homes, a public square, a school, and even a hospital.
"When government security or military forces deliberately and unlawfully kill someone, or when affiliated forces do so with government complicity or acquiescence, that constitutes an extrajudicial execution," said Diana Semaan, Amnesty International's Syria Researcher. "The Syrian government must promptly, independently, impartially, and transparently investigate these executions and hold perpetrators accountable."
The violence erupted after government forces entered Suwayda city on July 15, ostensibly to "restore stability" amid rising local tensions. However, what followed was a series of brutal killings. Amnesty's Evidence Lab verified 22 videos and photos showing armed men in various military and security uniforms, some with official insignia, carrying out the executions.
The human cost of the violence was captured in the words of one father who, fleeing the city, witnessed the murder of his sons and nephews at a checkpoint. "I saw my son smile at them and say salam aalykom [peace be with you]," he told researchers. "One of the officers stepped back, returned the greeting, and suddenly opened fire… What hurt me the most was seeing my son's body dance as the bullets pierced him."
Disturbing footage documented some of the most brazen acts. In one verified video, eight men are seen kneeling in Tishreen Square before being shot repeatedly by at least a dozen uniformed men. Another video captures the execution of a man at a public school after he identified himself as Druze.
The violence even spilled into a place of healing. CCTV footage from the National Hospital shows at least 15 armed men, some in General Security uniforms, gathering medical staff. A medical worker, Mohammed Rafiq al-Bahsas, was pulled from the group, beaten, and then shot twice at point-blank range as he pleaded for his life.
According to Amnesty's report, the perpetrators wore a mix of uniforms, complicating official narratives. While the Syrian Minister of Defence referred to "shocking and serious violations committed by an unknown group wearing military uniforms," Amnesty's evidence shows men in official uniforms working alongside others, some of whom wore black patches associated with the Islamic State (IS), despite IS not claiming responsibility.
On July 31, Syria's Ministry of Justice announced a committee to investigate the violations. However, Amnesty International reports that its own letters to the Syrian Ministries of Interior and Defence, sent on August 12 with its preliminary findings, have gone unanswered.
"The horrific human rights violations in Suwayda are yet another grim reminder of the deadly consequences of impunity for sectarian-based killings in Syria," Semaan warned, adding that the violence "leaves another community devastated, fuels further unrest, and undermines faith that the government will credibly deliver truth, justice, and reparations."
Photo: The source