On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, eight civilians, including three women, were killed and four others, including three women, were injured with varying degrees of severity. All were residents of the village of Rabia in the western Hama countryside. The civilian minibus, a service taxi, was directly shot at by unidentified gunmen while traveling on the main road between the villages of Matin and Rabia, located northeast of Rabia. It should be noted that the area is under the control of the transitional government.
According to documentation by the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) through reliable local sources, the bus, which was traveling from the city of Hama toward the village of Rabia, was attacked by unidentified individuals riding a motorcycle. The attackers opened direct and indiscriminate fire on the passengers, killing eight and wounding several others. Signs of gunfire were visible on the bus in multiple locations.
Internal Security Forces arrived at the scene and began an investigation. The network is still collecting eyewitness testimonies to verify and fully document the circumstances of the incident.
It’s worth noting that, almost simultaneously with the attack, an explosion occurred in an ammunition depot within an air defense battalion (Battalion 66) that had been empty since the fall of the Assad regime, near the village of Rabia. This occurred approximately 10 minutes after the gunfire, and approximately 300 meters from the bus site. Initial information indicates that the explosion was caused by a fire in nearby agricultural land. At the time of publication, there are no indications directly linking the two incidents.
Legal Conclusions
The killing of eight civilians, including three women, by direct fire by unknown gunmen, without any legal justification or engagement, constitutes an extrajudicial killing and constitutes a grave violation of Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which stipulates that the right to life is inherent in every human being and that no one may be arbitrarily deprived of it.
The injury of four civilians, including three women, as a result of indiscriminate shooting constitutes a violation of Article 9 of the Covenant, which guarantees the security and physical integrity of individuals and imposes on the authorities the duty to prevent such attacks and hold their perpetrators accountable.
Indiscriminate shooting by an armed group not subject to official control, in a vital civilian area, constitutes a failure to fulfil the state’s obligations to protect the civilian population, which contravenes the principle of the “duty to protect” binding on de facto authorities under international law.
The fact that the armed men are unknown does not detract from the transitional government’s responsibility to maintain security. The inability to contain civil conflicts or the behavior of local armed groups affects the enforcement of the rule of law.
If perpetrators are not identified and prosecuted, this reinforces the pattern of impunity, undermines civilian confidence in justice, and creates a dangerous environment for the recurrence of these crimes.
Recommendations by SNHR
Open an urgent, impartial, and transparent investigation, under the supervision of independent judicial authorities, to uncover the circumstances of the crime and identify the perpetrators, while ensuring the protection of witnesses and documenting evidence.
The transitional government must protect vital areas, including deploying security checkpoints, activating surveillance devices, and tightening control over informal armed groups.
Criminally prosecute all those involved, including any parties or local groups involved in the shooting, and bring them to fair and public trials that guarantee the rights of victims and their families.
Provide material and moral compensation to the families of the victims and ensure that injured civilians receive medical care and psychological support, as part of reparations in accordance with international standards.
Launch a local awareness campaign on respect for the rule of law and the rejection of random weapons, with the participation of local community leaders, to combat irregular armament and tribal violence.
