UN Syria probe set for renewal amid Kurdish rights concerns
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A UN investigative body monitoring violations in Syria is expected to be renewed for another year, after Turkey withdrew its opposition, as concerns persist over abuses against Kurds and other minorities, a report by Geneva Solutions said on Wednesday.
The decision is due at the ongoing session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, where member states are reviewing the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria.
Turkey had earlier sought to block the renewal, calling the mechanism outdated under Syria’s new political reality, but later backed down following limited support for its position.
The report indicated that the move comes amid continued reports of violations, including incidents targeting Kurdish communities in Damascus and northeastern Syria. A recent government-led offensive forced Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to withdraw from parts of the Autonomous Administration region, raising alarm among rights observers.
Similar incidents spread to the south and the coastal region, with hundreds reported killed in attacks targeting Druze, Christian, and Alawite communities in Suwayda, Latakai, and Tartus governorates.
UN investigators said they documented patterns of targeting based on ethnicity and religion, warning that some violations could amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity.
The probe continues more than a year after the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad, which opened the door for limited cooperation between Damascus and UN mechanisms. However, rights groups say accountability remains weak, with no senior officials held responsible for major violations.
Observers suggest Turkey’s initial opposition may be linked to concerns over scrutiny of its role in northern Syria, where it maintains military presence and has tense relations with the SDF.
While the renewal is expected to pass, diplomats say Ankara may push to end the mechanism in the future. At the same time, discussions are ongoing about shifting toward less confrontational approaches, including technical cooperation with Syrian institutions.
Rights organizations warn that scaling back independent investigations could undermine accountability, particularly for vulnerable communities such as the Kurds.