Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on Syrian authorities to seek accountability for abuses committed during clashes between Syrian government forces and local Bedouin and Druze groups in the Sweida region in July 2025.
HRW called on Syrian authorities to hold trials that meet international fair trial standards. If authorities are “unwilling or unable” to do so, the UN and other concerned governments are called upon to support accountability efforts. Additional requests for reform to Syria’s security sector attempt to prevent future violent clashes between government forces and local groups.
The group requested accountability on all sides of the fighting, including a push for legal accountability through the prosecution of military commanders and senior officials whose orders resulted in atrocities being committed.
Rights groups have reported that all sides have committed atrocities against civilians, including summary killings, attacks on civilian vehicles, kidnappings, destruction of civilian property, and desecration of bodies. As of late August 2025, violence has led to the displacement of approximately 187,200 people, most of which have been classified as internally displaced persons.
Impacts on civilians from related economic disruptions are reportedly catastrophic, resulting in civilian reliance on aid to supply food, water and medical care. Despite the need, groups have reported that government restrictions on access to the area severely impede humanitarian efforts.
Recent inter-ethnic violence between Bedouin tribal fighters and Druze militias began following the abduction of a Druze merchant on the highway leading to Damascus. The abduction prompted government intervention and Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian governorate of Sweida in July 2025.
Syrian government forces reportedly withdrew from the region following a ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States that handed governing power back to the Druze community. Despite the agreement, fighting between Druze and Bedouin groups continued, with President Ahmed al-Sharaa labelling Druze fighters as “outlaw groups” while praising the nationwide Bedouin mobilization. Attacks have reportedly included violence inflicted on both Druze and Bedouin civilians.
HRW has identified these acts as likely breaches of international humanitarian law pursuant to the Geneva Conventions, which outline the laws of war. Common article 3 to the 1949 Geneva Conventions describes protections awarded to civilians. Groups have also identified breaches of Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which protects against arbitrary executions and attacks on civilians’ right to life. Under these expressions of international and customary law, parties are obligated to investigate violations and pursue accountability for those in breach.
Syrian authorities issued a July 31 decree that promised to create a committee to investigate the situation in Sweida. However the investigation is yet to conclude.
