HRW urges Jordan to take responsibility for airstrikes in southern Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Human Rights Watch on Sunday called on Jordan to take responsibility for the airstrikes conducted in southeast Syria on Jan.18, which resulted in the killing of 10 individuals, including women and children.
The HRW contends that these strikes may constitute extrajudicial executions and is urging Jordan to ensure accountability for the incident and provide compensation to the victims and their families.
The airstrikes were part of an escalated campaign by the Jordanian Armed Forces against drug and weapons traffickers following recent clashes on the country’s border with armed groups suspected of being involved in narcotics, arms, and explosives trade, allegedly linked to Iranian backed militias.
The Syrian government responded on Jan.23, stating that there was no justification for Jordan’s attacks. In their defense, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry neither confirmed nor denied the airstrikes, emphasizing the threat posed by drug and weapons smuggling to national security and the lack of effective action taken by the Syrian government to address such operations on its territory.
The HRW sent a letter to Jordan’s Foreign Minister on Jan.31, detailing its findings, but as of the time of publication, had not received a response.
“Cross-border airstrikes that kill civilians demand scrutiny regardless of the threat posed by drug smuggling from southern Syria,” said Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.
“Jordan should halt military strikes against non-military targets and compensate victims of previous attacks and their families,” Coogle added.
The HRW emphasized the fundamental right to life, which must be upheld even in times of conflict.
It is the duty of authorities to investigate such incidents, not only in clear cases of unlawful deaths but also when there are reasonable allegations of potentially unlawful deaths, even without a formal complaint, the NGO stressed.
In light of these principles, the HRW has called on Jordan to conduct investigations into the Jan.18 airstrike and previous strikes.
Additionally, the organization has urged Jordan’s international partners who provide military and security assistance to ensure that their support does not contribute to unlawful killings or other human rights abuses.
The airstrikes on Jan.18 targeted the town of Urman in the Suwayda governorate of southern Syria, causing significant destruction and resulting in multiple casualties. One house in the eastern part of the town was destroyed, claiming the lives of its owner and two other individuals. Two munitions struck two connected houses 500 meters west, causing severe damage and resulting in the deaths of the house owner, his wife, and their two young daughters. Additional casualties included relatives who owned another house.