News Center – The city of Sweida in southern Syria witnessed bloody events during an attack launched by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) jihadists and Bedouin militants in July 2025. The attack resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians and the displacement of thousands, in addition to violations including summary executions, the demolition of homes, and attacks on churches, national symbols, and figures.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a new report today, Thursday, January 15, revealing the serious violations committed during the July 2025 attack on Sweida by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham jihadists and Bedouin militants, amid a clear absence of accountability.

The report documented violations including arbitrary killings, summary executions, mutilation of corpses, arbitrary arrests, attacks on civilian vehicles, and the looting and destruction of property. It noted that the violence perpetrated against civilians has led to the displacement of approximately 187,000 people. UN estimates confirm that these displaced persons are facing dire living conditions, with severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter.

The organization stressed in its report that the Syrian authorities are obligated to prove they are a government for all Syrians by prosecuting those responsible for the atrocities at the highest levels. The organization's deputy Middle East director stated that official acknowledgment of the crimes "is not enough as long as the leaders of the forces involved remain immune from justice," warning that the absence of accountability will lead to a repetition of past horrors.

Human Rights Watch called for independent and impartial investigations involving senior military and civilian officials, and for a comprehensive overhaul of the security sector to ensure such abuses do not happen again, stressing that impunity will keep Syria hostage to recurring cycles of violence and reprisals.