UN denounces violence against women in southern Syria

The latter have become victims of abductions and sexualized violence as part of the wave of violence, according to a report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Since mid-July, more than 1,000 people have been killed in the Suwaida governorate, hundreds abducted and more than 33 villages destroyed, the experts said. At least 105 Druze women and girls had been abducted and 80 remained missing. In at least three cases, women were raped before being executed.

Forced shaving of religious men, hate campaigns on social media and calls for the enslavement of Druze women were also reported.

"Systematic failure" of the authorities

The UN accuses the Syrian interim authorities of "systematic failure" to protect minorities and prosecute gender-based violence. Reports indicate that forces of the authorities were also involved in the attacks.

Last month, violence broke out between members of the Druze minority and Sunni tribal groups in the southern province of Suwaida. The Damascus government sent troops to calm the situation according to its own account - but these were also accused of brutal acts of violence against the Druze. Neighboring Israel bombed targets in Syria with the aim of protecting the Druze.

According to UN figures, around 190,000 people have been displaced by the fighting. Although a ceasefire has officially been in place since July 20, the situation remains tense.