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Shafaq News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
UN: Violence in Syria's Alawite areas may be war crimes
Shafaq News – Geneva War crimes may have been committed in predominantly Alawite areas of Syria in a wave of deadly violence earlier this year, top UN human rights investigators stated on Friday. The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria reported that the acts included killings, torture, and the inhumane treatment of the dead. 'Bodies were left in the streets for days, while families were prevented from burying them according to their religious rites,' the commission stated, noting that widespread looting and the burning of homes were also documented as part of the violence. 'In terms of scale and brutality, the violence detailed in the report is extremely alarming,' said Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission. Earlier, a Syrian investigative committee formed by the Syrian government, documented 930 testimonies related to the coastal incidents and confirmed the deaths of 1,426 individuals, including civilians and former military personnel.
Asharq Al-Awsat
a day ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
War Crimes Likely Committed by Both Sides in Syria Sectarian Violence, UN Commission says
War crimes were likely committed by members of interim government forces as well as by fighters loyal to Syria's former rulers during an outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria's coastal areas that culminated in a series of March massacres, a UN team of investigators found in a report on Thursday. Some 1,400 people, mainly civilians, were reported killed during the violence that primarily targeted Alawi communities, and reports of violations continue, according to a report by the UN Syria Commission of Inquiry. "The scale and brutality of the violence documented in our report is deeply disturbing," said Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission, in a statement released alongside the report. Torture, killings and inhumane acts related to the treatment of the dead were documented by the UN team which based its research on more than 200 interviews with victims and witnesses as well as visits to mass grave sites. The incidents in the coastal region were the worst violence to hit Syria since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad last year, prompting the interim government to name a fact-finding committee. There was no immediate public comment in response to the report from interim authorities nor from former Syrian officials, many of whom have left the country. A Reuters investigation last month found nearly 1,500 Syrian Alawites - the minority sect of Assad - had been killed and identified a chain of command from the attackers directly to men who serve alongside Syria's new leaders. New Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has previously denounced the violence as a threat to his mission to unite the country and promised to punish those responsible. The commission acknowledged in its report the commitment of Syria's interim authorities to identify those responsible but said the scale of the violence warranted further steps.
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
UN reports war crimes in Syria sectarian violence by both sides
GENEVA: War crimes were likely committed by both interim government forces and fighters loyal to Syria's former rulers during sectarian violence in coastal areas, a UN report stated. The violence, which peaked in March, reportedly killed around 1,400 people, mostly civilians from Alawi communities. 'The scale and brutality of the violence documented in our report is deeply disturbing,' said Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the UN Syria Commission of Inquiry. The UN team documented torture, killings, and inhumane acts related to the treatment of the dead based on over 200 victim and witness interviews. Investigators also visited mass grave sites as part of their evidence-gathering process. The coastal region violence marked Syria's worst bloodshed since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad last year. In response, Syria's interim government formed a fact-finding committee to probe the incidents. No immediate public comment was issued by interim authorities or former Syrian officials, many of whom have fled the country. A Reuters investigation last month linked nearly 1,500 Alawite deaths to attackers with direct ties to Syria's new leadership. New Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa condemned the violence as a threat to national unity and vowed accountability. The UN report acknowledged interim authorities' commitment to identifying perpetrators but urged further action given the violence's severity. - Reuters
Reuters
a day ago
- Politics
- Reuters
War crimes likely committed by both sides in Syria sectarian violence, UN commission says
GENEVA, Aug 14 (Reuters) - War crimes were likely committed by members of interim government forces as well as by fighters loyal to Syria's former rulers during an outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria's coastal areas that culminated in a series of March massacres, a U.N. team of investigators found in a report on Thursday. Some 1,400 people, mainly civilians, were reported killed during the violence that primarily targeted Alawi communities, and reports of violations continue, according to a report by the U.N. Syria Commission of Inquiry. "The scale and brutality of the violence documented in our report is deeply disturbing," said Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission, in a statement released alongside the report. Torture, killings and inhumane acts related to the treatment of the dead were documented by the U.N. team which based its research on more than 200 interviews with victims and witnesses as well as visits to mass grave sites. The incidents in the coastal region were the worst violence to hit Syria since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad last year, prompting the interim government to name a fact-finding committee. There was no immediate public comment in response to the report from interim authorities nor from former Syrian officials, many of whom have left the country. A Reuters investigation last month found nearly 1,500 Syrian Alawites - the minority sect of Assad - had been killed and identified a chain of command from the attackers directly to men who serve alongside Syria's new leaders. New Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has previously denounced the violence as a threat to his mission to unite the country and promised to punish those responsible. The commission acknowledged in its report the commitment of Syria's interim authorities to identify those responsible but said the scale of the violence warranted further steps.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
War crimes likely committed by both sides in Syria sectarian violence, UN commission says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, following deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Sunni Bedouin tribes and government forces, in Syria July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo GENEVA - War crimes were likely committed by members of interim government forces as well as by fighters loyal to Syria's former rulers during an outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria's coastal areas that culminated in a series of March massacres, a U.N. team of investigators found in a report on Thursday. Some 1,400 people, mainly civilians, were reported killed during the violence that primarily targeted Alawi communities, and reports of violations continue, according to a report by the U.N. Syria Commission of Inquiry. "The scale and brutality of the violence documented in our report is deeply disturbing," said Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission, in a statement released alongside the report. Torture, killings and inhumane acts related to the treatment of the dead were documented by the U.N. team which based its research on more than 200 interviews with victims and witnesses as well as visits to mass grave sites. The incidents in the coastal region were the worst violence to hit Syria since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad last year, prompting the interim government to name a fact-finding committee. There was no immediate public comment in response to the report from interim authorities nor from former Syrian officials, many of whom have left the country. A Reuters investigation last month found nearly 1,500 Syrian Alawites - the minority sect of Assad - had been killed and identified a chain of command from the attackers directly to men who serve alongside Syria's new leaders. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at the wrong airport in South Korea Asia Strong India-Singapore ties key to economic growth amid 'volatile landscape': DPM Gan Singapore Reformative training for teen who cheated man of $47k Rolex watch on former stepdad's instructions Asia Malaysian MP Rafizi says his son was jabbed with syringe in planned attack, threatened with Aids Asia Citizenship for foreign talent: How this footballer from Brazil became Vietnam's favourite 'Son' Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength New Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has previously denounced the violence as a threat to his mission to unite the country and promised to punish those responsible. The commission acknowledged in its report the commitment of Syria's interim authorities to identify those responsible but said the scale of the violence warranted further steps. REUTERS
