A United Nations Syria Commission report has concluded that the Syrian Army units that quelled the pro-Assadist rebellion in Latakia back in March have committed war crimes. The UN Commission report estimates that up to 1400 civilians mostly men were killed during the fighting. The Syrian Government had condemned the fighting and its investigation concluded that official government units had engaged in vengeful and retributory actions. The UN report is more critical of the events describing them as “systematic”.
In the report, the UN identified the brigades responsible for the war crimes and these were the 62nd Brigade (Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade), 76th Brigade (Hamza Division), and 400th Brigade(ex-HTS). The report also highlights that perpetrators must be brought to justice to prevent further incidents. The report also refers to the war crimes committed during the recent Suwayda rebellion and highlights that violence by official security forces is ongoing, including cases of women being abducted and people disappearing.
Separate investigations are also ongoing on the Suwayda Hospital massacre that took place on July 16th. Several medical workers were killed by Syrian Army units which had stormed the province to quell a separatist rebellion supported by Israel. The government has also condemned the killings at the Suwayda National Hospital, and ordered an investigation, but has yet failed to identify the perpetrators. Footage below shows the murder of Muhammad Bahsas,
Israel used the Latakia rebellion as a distraction to occupy more territory in southern Syria and is currently supporting a separatist rebellion in the province that is leader by Druze militia factions. Sectarian killings and excessive violence may potential put dent in the trustworthiness of the government as it currently makes efforts to keep the country united and dissolve unregulated and secterian military factions.
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