Executed for Being Kurdish: Civilian Killings on Ceasefire Day by Damascus-Affiliated Forces

Peregraf — The Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT) has documented and verified a grave human rights violation involving the massacre of a Kurdish civilian family during recent military operations carried out by armed forces affiliated with the New Syrian Government in North and East Syria. 

According to CPT’s findings, the incident occurred on January 18, amid an offensive on the city of Raqqa. A Kurdish family of twelve, attempting to flee the city toward Hasakah in search of safety, was intercepted near the village of Abu Khashab, located on the road between Raqqa and Hasakah. Six members of the family were killed, while the remaining six sustained severe injuries.

Evidence and Political Context 

Gruesome video and audio evidence reviewed by CPT has emerged documenting the massacre of the Kurdish family. The organization stated that the materials corroborate survivor testimonies and confirm that the killings were carried out by forces reportedly loyal to Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whom Washington has recently engaged with as part of its evolving Syria policy.

The massacre took place on January 18, the same day al-Sharaa publicly announced a ceasefire agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeast Syria (Rojava). The killings occurred one day after the Syrian Arab Army and affiliated armed groups launched a large-scale offensive to seize the strategic city of Raqqa from Kurdish-led forces.

The Syrian Democratic Forces, which administer and defend much of North and East Syria, serve as Rojava’s de facto military authority and have been a key ally of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (ISIS). The SDF played a decisive role in the territorial defeat of ISIS in 2019, making the timing of the massacre—on the very day a ceasefire was declared—particularly alarming to human rights observers.

Interception and Execution

The family was traveling in a Kia truck when they were stopped at an armed checkpoint operated by a group affiliated with the New Syrian Government. CPT reports that the armed group questioned the family about their place of origin. When the family responded that they were from Raqqa, the commander reportedly asked whether they were Kurds or Arabs. 

According to survivor testimonies collected by CPT, the family replied that they were Kurds but had no affiliation with any political party or military force. The commander allegedly responded, “Fine, now I will end all of you.”

Moments later, the commander ordered the execution of the elders. As the family attempted to exit the vehicle in fear, the gunmen opened fire at close range.

The father, Mohammed Ismail Salih (50), was shot in the head and killed instantly. The mother, Sara Shahin Salih (49), had her hands tied behind her back before being executed with a gunshot to the head. Gunfire then continued indiscriminately, killing four additional family members, including two children.

Victims of the Massacre

The six family members killed in the attack were identified as:

• Mohammed Ismail Salih (50)

• Sara Shahin Salih (49)

• Yusuf Mohammed Salih (20)

• Layla Mohammed Salih (17)

• Avin Mohammed Salih (10)

• Mahmoud Ahmed Salih (26)

Mutilation of Bodies

CPT’s documentation further indicates that the perpetrators committed acts of extreme brutality following the killings. The bodies of the victims were mutilated at the scene.

According to verified testimonies, the assailants flayed the facial skin of Layla Mohammed Salih (17) and disemboweled her. Mahmoud Ahmed Salih (26) had his right eye gouged out, and an Internal Security Forces (Asayish) logo was reportedly placed on his chest—an act CPT considers a deliberate attempt to incite hatred, provoke misinformation, and spread terror among the civilian population.

Fate of the Survivors

The remaining six family members attempted to flee the scene but were targeted with indiscriminate gunfire, resulting in severe injuries to all of them. The perpetrators abandoned the bodies of the deceased and forcibly took the wounded survivors with them.

Approximately one hour later, the wounded family members were dumped in a desert area near Deir ez-Zor. A local family later discovered them and transported them to Deir ez-Zor General Hospital.

Denial of Medical Care

Despite their critical condition, CPT reports that the survivors were denied adequate medical treatment at the hospital. One doctor allegedly insulted the wounded family members, telling them, “You should have been killed too; you shouldn’t have been brought here.”

After nearly 40 hours, the survivors were transferred to Raqqa, where they were separated from one another, further compounding their physical and psychological suffering, according to CPT.

List of the Wounded

The injured family members were identified as:

• Shirin Mohammed Salih (25): Four gunshot wounds to the abdomen

• Ghazal Mohammed Salih (16): Gunshot wound to the leg

• Ibrahim Mohammed Salih (13): Gunshot wounds to the hand and leg

• Shadi Mahmoud Salih (6): Gunshot wound to the leg and facial injuries

• Lavand Mahmoud Salih (2.5 years old): Bullet grazed the scalp, head injuries, and loss of two fingers on the right hand

• Ibrahim Mahmoud Salih (4): Gunshot wounds to the leg and genitals

Bodies Still Unburied 

Two days after the massacre, residents of Abu Khashab village recovered the bodies of the deceased and transported them to the Deir ez-Zor Provincial Hospital. As of the time of reporting, CPT confirms that the bodies remain at the hospital and have not yet been buried. 

Grave Violations of International Law

CPT emphasized that the killing of civilians, summary executions, mutilation of bodies, denial of medical care, and the terrorization of detainees constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and fundamental human rights.

“These acts amount to war crimes and atrocities committed against civilians during the recent military operations in North and East Syria and Kurdish-populated areas,” CPT stated.

The organization confirmed that it possesses verified documentation, visual evidence, and corroborated testimonies related to the massacre and will continue to monitor, record, and report violations committed against civilians in the region.

CPT reaffirmed its commitment to documenting abuses and calling for accountability and justice for crimes committed against civilians in North and East Syria.