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Assyrian Monitor: Suwayda Under the Fire of Genocide and Sectarian-Ethnic Cleansing |
Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights - July 16, 2025
The Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights expresses its deep concern over the alarming escalation of violence in the governorate of Suwayda. Since Monday, July 14, 2025, armed formations affiliated with pro-regime militias—among them units from the so-called "Syrian Army" under the Ministry of Defense and the "General Security" forces under the Ministry of Interior—have launched brutal attacks targeting innocent civilians across several villages in the region.
These horrific violations are part of a systematic and dangerous strategy aimed at subjugating local communities that reject the forced military and political dominance imposed by the current authorities. This new wave of violence mirrors previous atrocities witnessed in other parts of the country in recent months, including the bombing of St. Elias Church in the Douila neighborhood of Damascus, the savage assaults in Jaramana and Sahnaya, and the widespread campaigns of repression in the coastal regions of Syria. These events collectively reflect a clear and disturbing pattern of violence deliberately directed at civilians.
The Assyrian Monitor strongly condemns these state-driven policies that only serve to inflame sectarian divisions and deepen the suffering of the Syrian people. The recent crimes in Suwayda amount to acts of genocide and ethnic-religious cleansing. They pose an existential threat to Syria’s diverse social fabric—especially at a time when the country should be moving toward a pluralistic, democratic system that guarantees full equality and human rights for all citizens, without exclusion or discrimination.
We affirm that the continuation of such criminal practices in Suwayda—or any other part of Syria—serves only to perpetuate chaos, foster violence, and undermine prospects for coexistence and national reconciliation. Therefore, we urgently call for immediate international intervention. The current regime has repeatedly demonstrated its inability—and unwillingness—to protect vulnerable communities from crimes that meet the threshold of genocide and ethnic-religious cleansing. The international community, along with regional and global human rights organizations, must act swiftly and decisively.
The Assyrian Monitor extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, wishes a full recovery to the wounded, and calls for an independent, urgent, and thorough investigation into the recent bloodshed. We demand accountability for all perpetrators and guarantees that such atrocities will never be repeated.
