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Brutality of past years must not be repeated, or Syria will be driven onto a new trajectory of atrocities, warns UN Commission

Press releases
Independent investigation

03 December 2024

GENEVA -- Syria's warring parties must strictly adhere to international law and protect civilians, the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria warned today amid a dramatic increase in hostilities since 27 November which threaten to spread to new parts of the country.

"The brutality of past years must not be repeated, or Syria will be driven onto a new trajectory of atrocities," said Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission. "We call on all parties to break from their past patterns and ensure they protect and respect civilians, their human rights and the Geneva Conventions."

Over the weekend, non-State armed groups led by Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham seized control of vast areas, including Syria's largest city, Aleppo. Initial reports suggest that the fighting may spread to other parts of the country, and that the Government and its allies are preparing a possible counterattack, raising the prospect that civilians already suffering from years of conflict, economic collapse, and predatory armed groups and security forces, will be caught in the crossfire anew.

"We are investigating reported attacks impacting civilian infrastructure in the city of Aleppo, including at least one hospital and a university dorm, as well as reported airstrikes on Idlib city and other densely populated civilian areas. Both the airstrikes and the rapid changes in territorial control are causing massive displacement of civilians," warned Commissioner Hanny Megally.

The Commission is closely monitoring the treatment of civilians, including minorities and prisoners of war as opposition forces advance into government-controlled areas. The situation is also volatile in northern Aleppo, where the opposition group "Syrian National Army" have taken control of areas with a Kurdish population.

"There are some welcome statements by parties indicating that they intend to ensure the protection of the civilian population and their rights. However, what is required is that their deeds match their words in the coming days and that humanitarian actors on the ground obtain the access and sufficient resources to alleviate suffering," said Commissioner Lynn Welchman.

Background: The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic was established on 22 August 2011 by the Human Rights Council through resolution S-17/1.The mandate of the Commission is to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011 in the Syrian Arab Republic. The Human Rights Council also tasked the Commission with establishing the facts and circumstances that may amount to such violations and of the crimes perpetrated and, where possible, to identify those responsible with a view of ensuring that perpetrators of violations, including those that may constitute crimes against humanity, are held accountable. The Human Rights Council has repeatedly extended the Commission's mandate since then, most recently until 31 March 2025.