In August 2014, the Islamic State massacred hundreds of people from the Shaitat tribe in eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside, in what became one of the most extensive mass crimes committed against civilians in Syria. Twelve years later, those responsible have never been held to account.
Research conducted by the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), a Syrian civil society organisation, in collaboration with CIR, documents the massacre in detail and forms part of ongoing efforts to support transitional justice processes in Syria.
The massacre was not an isolated act of wartime violence, but part of a systematic pattern that Islamic State (ISIS) imposed across the territories it controlled. This violence extended beyond military confrontations to include mass summary executions, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and large-scale forced displacement, alongside torture, cruel treatment, and violations directed at vulnerable groups. These crimes have left lasting humanitarian, social, and legal consequences that continue to affect victims and their families, as well as the social and economic fabric of the eastern Deir ez-Zor countryside.
The report goes beyond a factual account of events. It analyses how these crimes are classified under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, assesses levels of criminal responsibility at both individual and command levels, and profiles key figures suspected of involvement. It also seeks to contribute to the National Commission for Transitional Justice and the National Commission for the Missing, ensuring that transitional justice processes are inclusive and that truth-seeking, accountability, and redress reflect the experiences of all those affected by the conflict.
As the report highlights the disproportionate impact of the massacre on women, children, and other vulnerable groups, it also aims to amplify their voices, and demonstrate that twelve years on, the pursuit of justice remains steadfast. Read the full report on SCM’s website here.