eport to the International Community Alleged Violations of International Humanitarian Law in Southeastern Kobani, Syria Executive Summary “Photos & Videos”

Report to the International Community
Alleged Violations of International Humanitarian Law in Southeastern Kobani, Syria Executive Summary

Massacre Documentation Report: 

1. The Geostrategic Organization for Kurdish Civil Society 
2. Geostrategic Studies Network Team 

This report documents two serious incidents that occurred simultaneously in southeastern Kobani, northern Syria, involving the killing and injury of Kurdish civilians, including children, women, and an elderly person. Available information indicates that these incidents may constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) and may amount to war crimes, warranting independent international investigation. 

Incident 1: Kharab Ashk Village

According to information collected from local sources, medical personnel, and community representatives, forces affiliated with the government of Ahmad al-Sharaa (al-Jolani), including units of the Syrian Arab Army and allied tribal armed groups, carried out an attack on Kharab Ashk village, located southeast of Kobani. 
The attack resulted in 12 civilian casualties, predominantly children and women, killed and injured. Several of the injured remain in critical condition. Communications with the village were reportedly cut at the time of the incident, significantly hindering emergency response and medical evacuation. 

Reported fatalities:

1. Fatima Othman 
2. Jamila Ahmad Othman 
3. Solaf Rasho Bozan Kadro 
4. Jaafar Mohammad Sheikh Bozan (child) 
5. Female child (daughter of Mohammad Sheikh Bozan) 

Reported injured: 

1. Shirihan Haj Mahmoud, 32 
2. Fatima Haj Mahmoud, 17 
3. Masoud Sheikh Bozan, 5 
4. Nisreen Mustafa, approximately 25 
5. Mohammad Sheikh Bozan, 35 
6. Rasho Bozan Kadro, 65

The victims were reportedly civilians with no indication of direct participation in hostilities. 

Incident 2: Sharbani Village

At approximately the same time, artillery shelling reportedly struck a civilian home in Sharbani village, located approximately five kilometres east of Kharab Ashk. 
The shelling resulted in the destruction of the residence and the killing of an elderly Kurdish woman, identified as: 

1. Salwa Hajm Mahmoud, also known as Salwa Ibrahim Aisha

According to available information, the victim had refused to leave her home. No military objectives were reported in the immediate vicinity of the targeted location. 

Legal Assessment

Based on the information currently available, the attacks raise serious concerns regarding: 
The principle of distinction, given the apparent targeting of civilians; 
The principle of proportionality, considering the civilian harm reported; 
The obligation to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians under international humanitarian law. 
If substantiated, these acts may constitute war crimes under customary international law and the Geneva Conventions. 

Responsibility and Command and Control

The near-simultaneous occurrence of the two incidents within the same geographical area suggests a pattern of conduct rather than isolated events. These incidents occurred despite public statements by the Damascus authorities indicating ongoing contacts with Kurdish forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as well as the announcement of a 15-day ceasefire. 
The continuation of hostilities during this period raises serious concerns regarding the ability of the Damascus authorities to exercise effective control over affiliated or allied armed groups, and calls into question the implementation and credibility of announced ceasefire arrangements. 

Recommendations

In light of the above, the following measures are recommended:

The establishment of an independent, impartial, and international investigation into the incidents in Kharab Ashk and Sharbani. 
Unrestricted humanitarian and medical access to affected communities. 
Measures to ensure accountability, including through domestic or international mechanisms. 
Immediate steps to enhance civilian protection in and around Kobani. 
Continued monitoring and public reporting by relevant UN human rights mechanisms. 

Conclusion

The incidents documented in this report reflect grave risks to civilian populations in southeastern Kobani and underscore the urgent need for compliance with international humanitarian law. Failure to address these violations may further entrench a climate of impunity and lead to additional civilian harm. 

Images and video footage documenting the Kharab Ashk massacre  

 

Video footage of the massacre

 

In this video, Rasho Sheikh Bozan, a survivor of the massacre and the owner of the house that was shelled, describes the first minutes of the massacre.

Mr. Mustafa Kadro, the Sheikh of Bozan, details the number of martyrs and injured, and describes the nature of the massacre.

A report exposing the extent of casualties and injuries from inside the hospital.

An eyewitness describes the nature of the massacre and the number of casualties.