On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Muhammad al-Khatib, a resident of the town of al-Yadudah in the western Daraa countryside, was an internal security officer working within the security forces affiliated with the Syrian government’s Ministry of Interior. He was shot by unknown gunmen on the road between the towns of al-Yadudah and al-Muzayrib in the western Daraa countryside. It should be noted that the area is under Syrian government control.
According to information obtained by the Syrian Network for Human Rights from reliable local sources, the unknown gunmen stopped Muhammad, blocked his way, and opened fire directly at him, resulting in his immediate injury and death.
We are continuing our investigations, including reviewing and gathering more evidence and information. We therefore hope that anyone with information or details related to this incident will provide us with it via our official email address.
[email protected]
Legal Conclusions:
• The killing of Mohammed al-Khatib 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 every human being has the inherent right to life and that no one may be arbitrarily deprived of it.
• The indiscriminate firing by an armed group not subject to official control in a civilian area constitutes a failure to fulfill the state’s obligations to protect civilians and security personnel outside of combat and security operations, and violates the principle of the “duty to protect” binding on de facto authorities under international law.
• The fact that the gunmen were unidentified does not diminish 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 the 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.
SNHR Recommendations:
• Open a prompt, 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 public facilities and public areas, including by deploying security checkpoints, activating surveillance devices, and tightening control over unofficial armed groups.
• 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 victim’s family, 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.
