LONDON (Dispatches) -- 
Amnesty International has revealed that Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de facto ruling power in Syria under Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, is responsible for the summary execution of dozens of Druze civilians in the southern governorate of Sweida during intense violence in July.
The report, based on videos and eyewitness testimony, documents at least 46 Druze civilians “deliberately and unlawfully killed” by armed men in military and security uniforms, some bearing official insignia linked to HTS-affiliated forces. Executions took place across multiple locations including private homes, a public square, a school, and a hospital.
One verified video shows armed men confronting a man, and shooting him after he admits to being Druze. Another disturbing incident involved the execution of medical worker Muhammad Rafiq al-Bahsas inside a hospital, where he was forced to kneel with other medical staff before being shot following a plea for his life.
Diana Semaan, Amnesty International’s Syria researcher, condemned these killings as extrajudicial executions — crimes under international law — and called for HTS to carry out an independent, impartial investigation to hold those responsible accountable without resorting to the death penalty.
The violence erupted amid clashes between Druze minority groups, Bedouin tribesmen, and HTS forces, resulting in over 2,000 deaths in Sweida alone. This follows a similar wave of sectarian violence earlier in the year in Latakia, also attributed to HTS militants, which saw the deaths of at least 1,500 Alawi civilians.
Under Jolani’s rule, HTS has maintained tight control over large parts of Syria, suppressing dissent and resisting any moves toward decentralization or autonomy by minority communities. Sweida residents’ demands for local governance have been met with harsh crackdowns.
Meanwhile, Israeli military operations in southern Syria, including strikes on the country’s infrastructure and territorial advances in the Golan Heights, add another layer of complexity to the conflict.
As Syria approaches elections scheduled for September, Human Rights Watch and other observers warn that genuine political participation and accountability mechanisms are crucial to prevent further abuses under HTS’s authoritarian rule. 
Adam Coogle, HRW’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, urged the establishment of independent oversight to protect citizens’ rights amid the ongoing violence.