Syria Forms Committee to Investigate Deadly Sweida Clashes

Syria Forms Committee to Investigate Deadly Sweida Clashes
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Syria’s Ministry of Justice, under the new transitional administration, has announced the formation of an investigative committee to probe the recent deadly sectarian clashes in the southern province of Sweida. The violence, which began around July 13, resulted in hundreds of deaths and displaced tens of thousands, marking the second major episode of sectarian unrest since the ouster of former leader Bashar al-Assad.

The committee, composed of seven members including judges, lawyers, and a military official, has been tasked with uncovering the circumstances leading to the “events in Sweida.” Its mandate includes investigating alleged assaults and violations against civilians and referring those found responsible to the judiciary. The committee is expected to submit its final findings within three months.

The clashes in Sweida initially erupted between local Druze factions and mostly Sunni Bedouin tribal fighters. The situation escalated with the involvement of Syrian government forces and reported Israeli airstrikes, which Israel claimed were conducted to protect the Druze minority. A US-brokered truce eventually brought an end to the week-long fighting. The formation of this committee follows a similar investigative body established in March, which probed sectarian violence in Syria’s coastal areas. However, there is skepticism among some observers regarding the efficacy of such committees in ensuring accountability.