Populations in Syria remain at risk of war crimes amid intermittent hostilities and a fragile political and security environment since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government.

BACKGROUND:

On 8 December 2024 the government of President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown by a coalition of armed opposition groups, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), following a 12-day offensive. Assad’s government collapsed after nearly 14 years of an internationalized country-wide armed conflict between the government and opposition groups, characterized by rampant atrocity crimes. More than 580,000 people were killed and 13 million Syrians forcibly displaced, according to the UN Human Rights Council-mandated Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Syria. Over one million Syrian refugees have returned to the country since December 2024, according to the UN Refugee Agency.

The conflict has its origins in the Assad government’s brutal suppression of pro-democracy protests in March 2011. Throughout the armed conflict, the Assad government systematically perpetrated extermination, murder, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and ill-treatment and sexual violence, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, according to the CoI. Armed groups, including HTS, the Syrian National Army, Turkish-backed groups and the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), were also implicated in atrocity crimes, such as torture, ill-treatment, systematic looting and arbitrary detention. During the conflict, both the Assad government and ISIL used chemical weapons, though most attacks were attributed to the government.

The CoI reported over 130,000 arbitrary detentions, abductions or disappearances, with the majority attributable to the Assad government. Following the collapse of the Assad government, HTS and other groups forced open many state-run detention and prison facilities, including the notorious Sednaya prison. Dozens of mass graves were discovered, although many Syrians continue to search for missing relatives.

Despite the overthrow of Assad, intermittent hostilities have persisted between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and transitional government security forces in northeast Syria, as well as between Druze, Bedouin and other armed groups in southern Syria. In early March 2025 clashes erupted on Syria’s coast after armed groups loyal to Assad ambushed transitional government forces during a so-called “security campaign.” More than 1,000 people – mostly from the Alawite minority, to which the Assad family belonged – were killed. The CoI found that interim government forces, Assad loyalists and private individuals committed grave acts that may amount to war crimes. Sectarian violence continued, with dozens of members of the Druze community killed in southern Damascus in late April and at least 25 people killed and over 60 injured in a suicide bombing at a church in Damascus in late June.

Since December 2024 Syria’s transitional authorities have taken steps to dissolve remnants of Assad’s government. These include hosting a National Dialogue Conference, adopting a Constitutional Declaration to guide a five-year transition period, appointing a new transitional government led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and conducting parliamentary elections. In May 2025 Syria’s transitional authorities announced the establishment of a Transitional Justice Commission and a National Commission for the Missing.

Despite limited actions by the UN Security Council (UNSC) during the conflict, several processes were initiated to pursue truth, justice and accountability for Syrians. In December 2016 the UN General Assembly (UNGA) established an International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of atrocities in Syria. Several countries have initiated proceedings or convicted suspected Syrian perpetrators under universal jurisdiction. In June 2023 the UNGA established the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria to clarify the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons and provide support to victims, survivors and their families. That same month, Canada and the Netherlands jointly initiated proceedings against Syria before the International Court of Justice concerning alleged violations of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:

In January 2026 clashes erupted in Aleppo between transitional government forces and the SDF, marking one of the most serious escalations since Assad’s fall. The fighting followed stalled talks after a missed deadline to implement an agreement on a nationwide ceasefire and the integration of the SDF into Syria’s army. Approximately 150,000 people were displaced and at least 23 killed. Soon after reaching a United States (US)-mediated ceasefire, interim President al-Sharaa issued a decree recognizing Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights and restoring citizenship. This was followed by a new nationwide ceasefire with the SDF that transferred control of several Kurdish-held provinces to the interim authorities and reaffirmed SDF integration.

Syrian transitional government forces subsequently claimed control over key ISIL detention sites in the northeast, abruptly closing and evacuating al-Hol camp and other facilities by late February. The absence of adequate planning and coordinated support resulted in some detainees being transferred to alternative camps, some leaving on their own accord and others being repatriated.

Since the fall of the Assad government, the international community has begun normalizing ties with Syria. The US and European Union have lifted major sanctions on Syria and in November 2025 the UNSC lifted terror-related sanctions on Syria’s interim President and Interior Minister, as well as on HTS.

ANALYSIS:

While the government has made progress in the political transition, including institutional reform and establishing authorities to search for the missing and advance transitional justice, concerns remain about the overall direction of the country. Sweeping presidential powers, limited political pluralism, a fragile ceasefire and integration agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF and ongoing sectarian violence could undermine an inclusive and durable transition.

Despite the collapse of the Assad government, sporadic fighting has continued since December 2024, as well as rights abuses, including torture and enforced disappearances. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented nearly 100 cases of abductions and enforced disappearances since January 2024.

The mandate of the transitional justice authority has limited accountability to victims of the Assad government and has conducted limited consultations with Syrian civil society.

While the closure of key ISIL detention sites has brought an end to the confinement of thousands of detainees – mainly women and children – previously held in conditions that the CoI said may amount to war crimes, the chaotic implementation process has raised serious protection concerns. Many detainees have received little support from Syrian authorities, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Meanwhile, several countries continue to delay the repatriation of their nationals with alleged ISIL affiliations, leaving thousands in prolonged uncertainty.

RISK ASSESSMENT:

• • • Legacy of war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by all parties to the conflict, particularly the former government.
    • Impunity enjoyed by all perpetrators of atrocity crimes.
    • Insecurity due to ongoing hostilities in northeast Syria and attacks against minorities.
    • Weak institutions and economic devastation.
    • Fragile political and security conditions following an abrupt change in political power.

NECESSARY ACTION:

The international community should support the transitional government in ensuring a transparent, diverse and inclusive political process, while also continuing to monitor the human rights situation in Syria. Efforts to build national unity must be grounded in Syria’s political, ethnic and religious diversity, including protective provisions in the drafting of the permanent constitution. Executive power afforded to the interim president must not be abused, nor exceed the transitional period. Syrian authorities must ensure due process for any detainees with alleged affiliations to ISIL and provide services and protections, particularly for women and children, pending repatriation.

All parties to hostilities must uphold their obligations under International Humanitarian Law and adhere to current ceasefire agreements. The transitional authorities must take decisive measures to curtail hate speech and dis-/mis-information campaigns. They must prioritize the protection of all Syrians and uphold guarantees of non-recurrence, including through ensuring that interim security forces receive training in international human rights standards and are held accountable when responsible for violations. The return of refugees and other displaced Syrians must be in accordance with the principle of non-refoulement.

Syria should ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, pursue justice and accountability, ensure the implementation of a comprehensive and holistic transitional justice process and maintain cooperation with all UN-mandated investigative mechanisms. The Transitional Justice Commission must ensure ongoing consultation with and inclusion of civil society organizations and victims associations, while also expanding the scope of prosecutable crimes to include those committed by all perpetrators, not only the Assad government. Justice and accountability must be pursued for victims of serious crimes, regardless of the perpetrator. This includes holding HTS accountable for crimes committed during the conflict.