Syrian security forces arrested over participation in July's Sweida violence, cm'tee confirms

Nasaan, who is head of Syria's National Committee into the investigation, noted that the Defense Ministry confirmed that "only Syrian volunteers in the army and security forces participated, and violators of the procedures have been arrested."

In addition, Committee spokesperson Ammar Izzadin clarified that several members of Syria's government-aligned security forces who "sparked controversy on social media" have been detained.

The violence in Sweida was "a crime that affected Syrian society as a whole," Nasaan said, adding that the committee "carried out its national duty aimed at preventing what happened in Sweida from recurring."

Nasaan affirmed that "foreign fighters" entered Sweida on an individual basis, but there has been no proof that such "foreign fighters" participated in the violence.

The committee's investigation process is "a national effort aimed at establishing the truth, ensuring justice, and preventing the repetition of violations, reaffirming its commitment to the rights of victims without exception," he added.

According to Nasaan, investigations are still ongoing to determine the final numbers of victims and missing persons.

The investigation was conducted in part via communication with Sweida residents via social media, Nasaan clarified in response to a journalist's question.

This was done at the request of Sweida residents after the committee's contact details were circulated, allowing for testimony submissions, he added.

Nasaan also noted that there is "continuous coordination with the Sweida governor to meet the needs of the locals."

Izzadin addressed a question regarding hate speech on social media, SANA reported.

Izzadin remarked that the level of incitement did not rise to the level of hate speech according to the constitution, and that it was limited to "a few individuals." However, the committee is following up on "anyone proven to be involved in hate speech or sectarian incitement," and is carrying out efforts to raise legal awareness, with anyone proven to have been found to incite hatred being held accountable under Syrian law, he added.

The committee's investigation is operating independently of the government, but has the ability to "fully apply Syrian criminal law and international humanitarian and human rights law, including the Geneva Conventions," he affirmed, adding that "anyone found responsible for violations will be held accountable under Syrian law."

Nasaan updated on the investigations activities over the past three months, documenting 495 testimonies, including field investigations, testimony documentation, and digital evidence analysis.

Investigators visited the attack sites, analysed them using forensic science, and visited displaced persons' camps in Damascus, Idlib, Daraa, and Sweida, as well as the surrounding areas, and Damascus and Daraa hospitals.

The committee also "collected material evidence, determined attack patterns, and traced attack routes," he said.

In addition, committee members heard testimonies from ministers, government officials, religious leaders from all backgrounds, and locals from the Sweida region, including survivors and victims' relatives.

The committee also reviewed video footage to identify locations and times, comparing them with testimonies and field reports from other parts of the investigation, in order to attempt to reconstruct a sequence of events, he clarified.

The investigations are still ongoing, with the committee seeking an extension of its mandate due to "challenges that prevented it from completing all fieldwork," SANA reported.

The finalized report will be submitted to Syria's Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais, SANA clarified.