The Syrian Armed Conflict: Nearing the End?

Two persons walk in the ruins of Aleppo Two persons walk in the ruins of Aleppo

8 January 2019

Our new War Report article The Syrian Conflict: Nearing the End?, written by Marija Sulce, provides an overview of the current situation in Syria, details the role and involvement of the various armed groups in the multiple and overlapping non-international armed conflicts that are taking place throughout the country, and maps foreign involvement of countries like the United States (US), Turkey, Iran or Russia in the international armed conflicts that are ongoing in Syria.

This short publication also reviews key developments in 2018, as well as war crimes allegations, investigations and prosecutions, including the work of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism.

It will form part, along with other analysis of conflict situations, of the War Report 2018 which will be published in the first quarter of 2019.

Grasping with a Complex Mosaic involving Several Armed Groups and Foreign Interventions

The article provides the tools to understand the complex dynamics that are at stake in Syria and recent developments, including the decline of the Islamic State, Assad’s territorial gains and the US announcement on 20 December 2018 of the full withdrawal of its troops.

‘While it seems that the conflict is nearing the end, the current situation in Syria is still highly volatile’ underlines Dr Annyssa Bellal, Strategic Adviser on International Humanitarian Law at the Geneva Academy and Editor of the War Report.

‘Several armed groups continue to operate in Syria, issues such as humanitarian access remain crucial and the involvement of different states like Turkey or Iran generates an extremely complex situation’ she adds.

The Syrian Armed Conflict in the War Report 2018

War Crimes Allegations, Investigations and Prosecutions

The article also reviews the main allegations of war crimes committed in Syria by the various parties to the conflict, and the work of the newly established International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism.

Syria in the Rule of Law in Armed Conflict Conflicts Online Portal

The Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts (RULAC) online portal provides information on the classification of the international armed conflicts and non-international armed conflicts that are taking place in Syria, identifies the parties to these conflicts, and the applicable law.

The Syrian Armed Conflict War Report 2018 RULAC

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

LLM Students during a class News

Less than a Month Left to Apply to our LLM and MAS in Transitional Justice

31 January 2022

While applications with a scholarship for our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and MAS in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law just closed, interested candidates can still apply until 25 February without a scholarship.

Read more

Cable network photo News

Assessing the Impact of Novel Technologies for Humanitarian Protection in Armed Conflict

10 May 2022

Our new Working Paper provides an overview of the various novel technologies that together form part of the ‘future digital battlefield’ and assesses some of the implications they have for humanitarian protection in armed conflict.

Read more

Ukraine, damaged bicycle and car in front of a destroyed building Short Course

Protection of Persons and Property in International Armed Conflict

Fall 2022

This short course examines the conduct of hostilities in situations of international armed conflict, also known as the Law of The Hague.

Read more

Côte d'Ivoire,  Abidjan, military instruction center in Akandjé. An ICRC dissemination session on international humanitarian law for the 1st bataillon of commando paratroopers. Short Course

The Implementation of International Humanitarian Law

Spring 2023

This short course, which can be followed in Geneva or online, will cover the ‘nuts and bolts’ of implementation, including national legislation, dissemination and training, and discuss the mechanisms such as the International Fact-Finding Commission, as set out in the treaties.

Read more

Screenshot of the RULAC webpage Project

Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts (RULAC)

Started in May 2007

The Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts project (RULAC) is a unique online portal that identifies and classifies all situations of armed violence that amount to an armed conflict under international humanitarian law (IHL). It is primarily a legal reference source for a broad audience, including non-specialists, interested in issues surrounding the classification of armed conflicts under IHL.

Read more

A wheelchair completely destroyed after the bombing of a civilian area Project

Disability and Armed Conflict

Completed in May 2016

This project aimed to ensure better protection of and assistance for persons with disabilities in situations of armed conflict or its aftermath by identifying legal obligations to protect and assist persons with disabilities during conflict, and the policies and practices required to put these obligations into effect.

Read more

Cover of the Publication Publication

The Future Digital Battlefield and Challenges for Humanitarian Protection: A Primer

published on April 2022

Henning Lahmann

Read more