Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documents lawlessness and impunity following fall of Syrian regime

03/10/2026

SYRIA — Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad and his regime, political and military efforts in the country have failed to put an end to the loss of life. Amid continued violence, crimes and violations, various parts of Syria continue to record civilian and combatant deaths, as well as casualties among members of different parties. Multiple sources of danger have continued to threaten residents’ lives, according to figures and statistics documented by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which reported that 14,073 people have been killed across different parts of Syria. The victims included civilian men, women and children, as well as combatants and members of various parties. 

The loss of life continued in the months following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, with significant variations in the number of casualties across different periods. A total of 2,354 people were killed in the weeks following the fall of the regime through the end of 2024, while the toll rose to 9,272 deaths during 2025, amid continued violence and varying levels of casualties between the two periods. 

From the beginning of 2026 through the end of September, the SOHR documented 2,447 deaths, including 1,663 civilians and 784 non-civilians. These figures point to a deterioration in the country’s security situation, particularly as children and women have fallen victim to crimes unrelated to combat. Children, in particular, have continued to bear the brunt of various forms of violence, including criminal killings and incidents caused by the proliferation of weapons and remnants of war, amid the continued decline in security agencies’ ability to provide adequate protection to civilians in several areas. 

The loss of life was not limited to military and security operations. September also saw dozens of criminal incidents in several Syrian provinces, resulting in the deaths of 58 people, including seven children and six women. Some of these crimes, which had various motives, were linked to personal and family disputes, brawls and robberies, while the motives behind other crimes and the identities of those responsible remained unknown. 

This indicates that the task goes beyond merely containing and halting combat operations. It also requires building a system capable of protecting civilians, investigating crimes and violations, pursuing those responsible and holding them accountable. Such measures would help reduce impunity and curb the continuation of the cycle of violence. 

The SOHR called on the relevant authorities in Syria to assume their responsibilities in protecting civilians and to launch serious and transparent investigations into all cases of killings and violations. It also called for the circumstances surrounding such cases and the findings of investigations to be made public, while ensuring that anyone found responsible is referred to the courts and held accountable under the law, regardless of their affiliation or position. 

The SOHR further called for strengthening civilian protection mechanisms, controlling the proliferation of weapons, improving security responses to crimes and missing-person reports, particularly those involving children, and taking effective measures to prevent violations from recurring and ensure that those responsible do not escape accountability. 

The SOHR warned that Syria’s transition to a new phase cannot be completed as long as victims continue to be killed and justice and accountability remain absent. It stressed that protecting Syrians’ right to life and security, uncovering the truth about crimes and violations, and holding those responsible accountable regardless of their affiliations or positions are fundamental pillars of any genuine path toward the rule of law.