Human Rights Watch urges protection and aid access for civilians in in Northeast Syria

Beirut – Human Rights Watch said both Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) must urgently protect civilians and respect human rights amid escalating fighting in northeast Syria. The group warned against blocking humanitarian aid, targeting vital infrastructure, or abusing detainees and displaced people.

Clashes began on January 6 in Kurdish neighbourhoods of Aleppo and expanded on January 17 to Raqqa, Deir Ezzor, and parts of al-Hasakah. Although a ceasefire agreement was announced on January 18 and reaffirmed on January 20, it has been repeatedly violated. Human Rights Watch said civilians are bearing the brunt of the fighting, with reports of displacement, power and water cuts, and unsafe “humanitarian corridors.”

The organisation documented allegations of arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, and desecration of bodies by both sides, as well as severe shortages of food, shelter, water, and electricity. At least 13,000 people have been displaced, many without adequate assistance.

Human Rights Watch also raised serious concerns about conditions in detention centres and camps holding ISIS suspects and their families, where aid has been blocked, and residents reported violence and looting. The group called on all parties to allow humanitarian access, release unlawfully detained civilians, and ensure accountability for abuses, warning that failure to protect civilians will deepen instability across Syria.