QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria cautioned on Thursday that the resurgence of brutal violence across several Syrian regions risks undermining the fragile optimism that followed the fall of the former Syrian government last year.
Addressing the UN General Assembly in New York, Commission Chair Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro said the future of Syria remains “in the balance” as new cycles of violence threaten recent progress toward justice and reconciliation. He called on Syria’s interim authorities and UN Member States to “address the underlying causes of the recent violence and prevent its recurrence.”
Since December 2024, more than one million refugees have returned to Syria, encouraged by what Pinheiro described as “unprecedented optimism.” This return coincided with the establishment of new national bodies — including the Transitional Justice Authority and the National Authority on Missing Persons — tasked with promoting accountability and supporting victims. The Commission welcomed these initiatives as important milestones in rebuilding state institutions and public trust.
However, according to the Commission’s report, the recent surge in violence in several western governorates — including Latakia, Tartus, Hama, and Suweyda — has tempered early optimism. In March, over 1,400 civilians, including women and children, were reportedly killed in a series of coordinated attacks and retaliations involving both forces loyal to the previous government and elements within the interim government’s security structures.
“Alarmingly, the Commission continues to receive reports of extrajudicial killings, torture, and forced displacement of Alawi civilians,” Pinheiro said. During recent field visits to Suweyda city and surrounding rural areas, the Commission’s teams met with survivors and witnesses who described widespread fear and continuing insecurity.
The Commission also expressed deep concern over the growing pattern of abductions and violence against women and girls, noting that several victims have been subjected to sexual violence or forced marriage by unknown armed actors. Families have criticized the lack of action by local authorities to investigate these disappearances.
Humanitarian needs are escalating as winter approaches, with displaced Druze and Bedouin communities facing severe shortages of shelter and aid. The Commission urged Member States to increase assistance and support ongoing humanitarian operations.
Pinheiro further condemned the continued Israeli airstrikes and military incursions into southern Syria, warning that external interference “risks further inflaming the conflict and inflicting greater suffering on civilians.” He called for immediate action to prevent forced displacement and arbitrary detention linked to these interventions.
In the country’s northeast, the Commission noted ongoing tensions near Aleppo and the Tishreen Dam. While localized clashes were reported, the area under the administration of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and secured by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has remained comparatively stable, providing a measure of security that continues to allow humanitarian operations and civil governance to function.
“A safe, rights-respecting Syria requires inclusive, accountable institutions rooted in human rights and the rule of law,” Pinheiro emphasized. He urged the interim authorities to act swiftly to hold perpetrators accountable and rebuild trust between communities.
The Commission concluded that concrete reforms and prevention mechanisms must be implemented immediately to avoid renewed cycles of violence. Its latest report, presented to the UN General Assembly, outlines specific recommendations for justice, accountability, and institutional reform, which Syria’s foreign minister reportedly described as a “roadmap” for the country’s recovery.