SCTJ Statement on Deir Ezzor Massacre

On 3 September, 2014, the Syrian regime targeted many areas in the province of Deir Ezzor with heavy aerial bombardment via airstrikes. One of the strikes targeted a bus, which was carrying civilian passengers. The bus was travelling on the Damascus – Deir Ezzor highway and the outcome of the strike caused 10 children and five women to be killed instantly. Out of the fifteen victims, the following were identified:

Aisha Ahmad Az-Zou’bi

Yara Al-Omar

Noura Al-Omar

Ayman Al-Omar

Kauthar Ali Al-Mekhlef

Amina Al-Ali Al-Mekhlef

Saif Ali Al-Mekhlef

Hanaa Ali Al-Mekhlef

Ayham Al-Hassan

Marwa Al-Hamada

Marwan Al-Hamada

The Syrian regime’s continuous use of indiscriminate shelling and aerial weapons had killed tens of thousands of unarmed civilians. Furthermore, the Syrian regime, which uses these weapons against unarmed civilians, violates all international laws by taking advantage of the international community’s inaction of its ongoing crimes against humanity.

This massacre has breached once again the international humanitarian laws, which provides that civilians and civil facilities are to be protected during armed conflicts.

The Syrian Commission for Transitional Justice condemns this massacre as it constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity. Additionally SCTJ urges the international community to shed light on the Syrian regime’s systematic terrorism against civilians, and to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. The international community should take appropriate measures to put an end to the Syrian regime’s policy of indiscriminate shelling and targeting of civilians.