HRW warns of grave risks to civilians in northern Syria
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Human Right Watch (HRW) expressed on Wednesday alarm over the escalating violence in northern and central Syria, warning of severe risks to civilian safety and well-being.
In a report, the organization highlighted the renewed fighting that erupted on Nov. 27, cautioning that it “raises concerns that civilians face a real risk of serious abuses at the hands of opposition armed groups and the Syrian government.”
The HRW called on all parties involved in the conflict to strictly adhere to international humanitarian law and human rights law.
It emphasized the necessity of limiting attacks to legitimate military targets, taking every precaution to avoid civilian harm, and ensuring safe escape routes for those caught in the crossfire.
“Given the conduct of the Syrian government throughout the nearly 14-year conflict, concerns are mounting that it may again engage in brutal and unlawful tactics that have caused devastating and long-term harm to civilians,” said Adam Coogle, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.
He added that “Anti-government armed groups have promised restraint and to uphold humanitarian norms, but they will ultimately be judged by their conduct not their words.”
The report specifically called on Syrian government forces and their Russian allies to refrain from indiscriminate attacks and strikes targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure.
The HRW also noted the troubling record of opposition groups concerning detentions. It raised fears over the treatment of the Syrian government soldiers and civilians captured during the fighting, as well as the documented abuse of religious and ethnic minorities and women in territories under opposition control.
The organization urged Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, once known as al-Nusra Front) and the Turkish-backed armed opposition factions, aka the Syrian National Army (SNA), to cease targeting civilians and civilian objects and to avoid indiscriminate attacks.
It stressed the importance of adopting measures to prevent civilian casualties and ensuring the safe evacuation of civilians from conflict zones.
Finally, HRW called on the SNA factions to “monitor and prevent fighters from mistreating detainees or engaging in revenge violence or extrajudicial killings.”
It underscored the need for armed groups to avoid harassment, arbitrary arrests, and mistreatment of residents remaining in newly captured areas, while demanding accountability for any violations.