Seven months after the fall of the Assad government and the disintegration of Syria’s military and security apparatus, more than 8,000 people have been killed amid widespread violence, instability, and lawlessness, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Why it matters:

The power vacuum following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 has plunged Syria into deep security chaos, highlighting the devastating human toll of the collapse without a stable transition. The surge in violence, extrajudicial killings, and lawlessness risks further derailing hopes for national reconciliation and rebuilding.

What they're saying:

According to a report released Tuesday by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, from December 8, 2024, to July 7, 2025, at least 8,067 people have been killed due to widespread violence, assassinations, armed clashes, and field executions across Syria.

Of that number, 2,167 individuals were executed extrajudicially, raising serious concerns about grave human rights violations. Civilians made up 6,150 of the total deaths, including 330 children and 451 women, underscoring the disproportionate impact of the chaos on vulnerable populations.

The watchdog warned that even areas controlled by new military forces remain plagued by sectarian violence, revenge killings, and insecurity, a serious challenge to building a democratic, inclusive, and peaceful Syria.

 

Go deeper:

Israeli Airstrikes on Syria Kill 1 Civilian, Injure 3​​​​​​​

ahmad shirzadian
OSZAR »