UN: 1,700 killed in Syria’s 2025 sectarian violence

A recent UN investigation into intercommunal violence in the southern Syrian city of Suweida in July 2025 found that over 1,700 deaths and nearly 200,000 people were displaced during a week of violence, according to the Arab Weekly plus agencies on March 28th.

The clashes triggered a multi-sided escalation between Syrian government forces, tribal fighters, and Druze armed fighters. The UN concluded that these committed acts of violence could collectively constitute war crimes, with possible extension to crimes against humanity.

The outbreak of violence occurred at a critical moment, seven months after the fall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. Characterised by three phases of civilian attacks and widespread abuse, its initial phase involved the government and allied forces carrying out killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, vandalism and looting. The report noted that it was discriminatorily directed at the minority Druze community.

In its second phase, the Druze community, now armed, retaliated against Bedouin communities through killings, torture, targeted attacks on religious sites, violence against civilians, and forced displacement. This has resulted in a significant loss of most Bedouin-controlled territories.

Its third phase saw the advancement of Bedouin troops into Suweida, followed by the widespread looting, vandalism, killings, and the torching of homes in dozens of villages, leading to the reported destruction or damage of homes across 35 villages.

The Syrian government has responded internally by setting up a state-appointed inquiry committee through the Justice Ministry. Based on evidence collection and witness statements, it estimates a death toll of 1,760 and 2,188 injured. In their findings, the attacks were attributed to “all sides,” concluding that “many human rights violations” were carried out by local armed groups, as well as by government and security forces. It further reports that some local groups seem to have alleged Islamic State (ISIS) connections, and there have been purported arrests among those connected to government forces.

The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic’s responding report states a death toll of 1,707 people, highlighting the heavy losses in Druze and Bedouin communities. It also acknowledges 225 deaths of government personnel. Despite a fragile ceasefire, over 155,000 people are still displaced, and the situation remains unstable.

The UN Commission further recognises the involvement of tribal fighters in the initial phase of the conflict, highlighting how their role potentially falls under state action by collaborating under the state’s effective control. Although non-affiliated actors are also documented.

The report further observed abuse trends, emphasising that civilian women, children, the elderly, and the disabled were targeted in both domestic and public spaces. As described, these instances were often combined with antagonising sectarian comments. Offenders captured the evidence of torture, abductions, sexual and gender-based violence, and the targeting of religious sites and civilian property, sharing it on social media.

The report warns that, despite the ceasefire and the end of major conflict on July 19th 2025, flare-ups continue in 2026. It cautions that without accountability and a political resolution, Syria’s future remains uncertain. The commission emphasises that to prevent more violence, violations must be addressed to rebuild community trust and strengthen state stability.