An Investigation Should Be Launched and Accountability Measures Must Be Taken Following the Involvement of the “Suqur al-Sunna” faction in Documented Incidents in the Town of Suluk
Available in:
The Hague – The Syrian Network for Human Rights:
The town of Suluk, located in the northern countryside of Raqqa Governorate, witnessed a series of security incidents between May 26 and 28, 2025. The incident followed an assault attributed to a member of the “Suqur al-Sunna” faction against a civilian from the town. This led to protests that later developed into armed clashes between the faction and a number of the town’s residents.
According to documentation by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, four civilians were killed, including two who were summarily executed, and eight others were injured. Additionally, detentions, the burning and looting of private civilian property were documented, as well as the displacement of a number of families from the town during the incidents.
Sequence of events between May 26 and 28, 2025
Monday, May 26, 2025: Tensions erupted in the town of Suluk following an attack attributed to a member of the “Suqur al-Sunna” faction on a civilian who was installing an air conditioner on the roof of his home. An exchange of gunfire ensued, followed by military movements by the faction within several residential neighborhoods, prompting residents to declare a general strike the following day.
Tuesday, May 27, 2025: Residents set up a sit-in tent in the town, demanding the removal of the “Suqur al-Sunna” faction from residential areas. In the evening, fighters from the faction entered the town, and a confrontation erupted with a number of protesters. This later developed into armed clashes with local residents. The clashes ended at midnight with the faction seizing control of the town, burning the sit-in tent, and detaining at least 15 young men. They were later released following the intervention of the 60th Division, affiliated with the Ministry of Defense of the transitional government.
May 28, 2025: Reinforcements arrived from other factions affiliated with the “National Army,” in addition to internal security forces affiliated with the Ministry of Interior in the transitional government, coming from the cities of Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad. Military police were deployed throughout the town in an attempt to contain tensions and control the security situation.
According to information obtained by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the “Suqour al-Sunna” faction is one of the military formations whose integration under the Ministry of Defense in the transitional government had not been announced at the time of writing this statement.
