On Friday, October 24, 2025, Ms. Reham Nizar Hamoudi, 32, a resident of the Al-Waleed suburb of Homs, was killed by a hand grenade that an unknown gunman threw onto the balcony of her home in the neighborhood. At the time of publication, the identity of the perpetrator remains unknown. It should be noted that the area is under Syrian government control.
According to information obtained by the Syrian Network for Human Rights from local sources, an unknown gunman riding a motorcycle threw a hand grenade onto the balcony of Reham’s home in the Al-Waleed suburb, wounding her and killing her instantly. A woman accompanying her was also injured.
We are continuing our investigations, including reviewing and gathering more evidence and information. Therefore, we hope that anyone with information or details related to this incident will provide us with it via our official email.
Legal Conclusions:
- The killing of Reham Hamoudi 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 throwing of a hand grenade by an armed individual, not under 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 armed individual is 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 perpetrator is not identified and prosecuted, this reinforces a pattern of impunity, undermines civilian confidence in the justice system, 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:
- Initiate an urgent, impartial, and transparent investigation, under the supervision of independent judicial authorities, to uncover the circumstances of the crime and identify the perpetrator, 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 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.