On Monday, July 28, 2025, brothers Duraid Hashem Al-Shabli Azzam, 27, and Muhannad Hashem Al-Shabli Azzam, 20, both from As-Suwayda Governorate, were killed when unknown gunmen opened fire on them in their shop in the Barzeh area of Damascus. The identity of the perpetrators remains unknown at the time of publication. The area is under the control of the transitional government.
According to what the Syrian Network for Human Rights documented through reliable local sources, three unidentified gunmen stormed the store and opened fire on the two brothers. Dureid was shot in the head, killing him instantly, while Muhannad was shot three times in the chest and abdomen, resulting in his immediate death. The network is still collecting eyewitness accounts to verify and fully document the circumstances of the incident.
Legal Conclusions:
- The killing of the brothers Duraid and Muhannad Azzam constitutes a flagrant violation of the right to life, as stipulated in Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The state has a legal obligation to conduct a prompt and effective investigation, ensure accountability for those responsible, and prevent impunity.
- The indiscriminate firing by an armed group outside official control in a vital civilian area constitutes a failure to fulfill the state’s obligation to protect civilians, contravening the principle of the “duty to protect” binding on de facto authorities under international law.
- The fact that the gunmen were unknown does not diminish the transitional government’s responsibility to maintain security. The inability to contain civil conflicts or the behavior of local armed groups impacts the enforcement of the rule of law.
- If the perpetrators are not identified and prosecuted, this reinforces a pattern of impunity, undermines civilian confidence in justice, and creates a dangerous environment for the recurrence of these crimes.
- The continued presence of weapons in the hands of unofficial actors increases the likelihood of security chaos and the commission of serious violations. This poses a direct challenge to the transitional government in its efforts to impose the rule of law and achieve security.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights’ recommendations:
- 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 witness protection and documenting evidence.
- The transitional government must protect vital areas, including by deploying security checkpoints, activating surveillance equipment, and tightening oversight of unofficial armed groups.
- Prosecute all those involved, including any parties or local groups involved in the shooting, and bring them to public and fair trials that protect the rights of victims and their families.
- Provide material and moral compensation to the victim’s family 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.
