The Syrian Network for Human Rights reveals an increase in the victims of violence in Syria during May 2025.

A report issued by the Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that 157 civilians were killed in Syria during May 2025, including 20 children, 11 women, and one person who died under torture.

According to the report, responsibility for the killings was attributed to several parties. The transitional government committed killings of 3 civilians, while Assad regime forces killed 3 civilians, including a child. Additionally, Syrian Democratic Forces were responsible for the deaths of 3 civilians, and Israeli forces' attacks resulted in the deaths of 4 civilians. However, the vast majority of the victims, totaling 144 civilians, including 19 children and 11 women, were killed in attacks carried out by unknown parties.

The report documented the highest number of casualties in Aleppo, Latakia, and Homs provinces, collectively accounting for 15% of the total victims, followed by Hama province at 12%, with most of these incidents perpetrated by unknown entities.

The report also highlighted other violations, including one person killed under torture by Assad regime forces, one journalist targeted by unknown gunmen, and 3 Civil Defense personnel killed due to landmine explosions. The report also noted two massacres during the month; one carried out by armed groups, while the other resulted from undisclosed bombings.

The report revealed 8 attacks on vital civilian centers in Sweida, Aleppo, and Hama provinces, ranging from assaults by Syrian Democratic Forces, attacks by unknown parties, to raids by unidentified armed individuals, in addition to one explosion with no responsible party identified.

In a related context, the report uncovered the discovery of the bodies of 4 civilians from the same family in sites believed to be mass graves dating back to the pre-regime fall era, shedding light on the ongoing repercussions of the conflict even after its intense phases have ended.

The majority of the attacks directly targeted civilians, a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, with a particular focus on the dangers of landmines that have caused casualties without the involved parties providing maps, reflecting a clear disregard for civilian lives, especially children.

The report criticized the indiscriminate shelling by Syrian Democratic Forces, labeling it a war crime, along with condemning remote detonations in residential areas showing a deliberate intent to kill civilians. It also pointed out that Turkish forces did not adhere to the principle of proportionality in their attacks, leading to the deaths of innocent victims, while criticizing the positioning of Syrian Democratic Forces in civilian areas as a breach of international law.

In conclusion, the Syrian Network for Human Rights emphasized that the transitional phase did not achieve the desired security stability, calling for urgent reforms including strengthening transitional justice, holding violators accountable, reforming security agencies, providing psychological and social support to the affected, and urging the international community to fulfill its responsibilities by referring the Syrian file to the International Criminal Court, ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid, and supporting mine clearance efforts.