Report on Internet Disruptions in Suwayda, Syria and their Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report details the internet and telecommunications shutdown in the Syrian governorate of Suwayda, which commenced on July 14, 2025, amidst escalating political tensions and violent conflict. The #KeepItOn coalition, a global network of over 345 organizations, condemns this disruption as a severe violation of human rights and a significant impediment to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The shutdown has exacerbated a humanitarian crisis, enabled human rights abuses, and undermined efforts to build peace and strong institutions, directly contravening the principles of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Crisis Background and Humanitarian Context

Political Unrest and Escalation of Violence

The internet shutdown occurred within a context of heightened political and sectarian tension in the predominantly Druze region of Suwayda. For months, residents had mobilized to demand political reforms and economic relief. On July 13, 2025, these tensions erupted into violent clashes involving local armed groups and government security forces, further complicated by external airstrikes.

Humanitarian Impact

The conflict has resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis, fundamentally undermining progress toward key SDGs.

• Loss of Life and Displacement: Over 1,400 people have been killed and at least 176,000 displaced, directly challenging SDG 16’s aim to reduce violence and related death rates.
• Disruption of Essential Services: Widespread disruption to food, water, medicine, and fuel has created a dire situation, hindering SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Human Rights Abuses: Reports indicate serious human rights violations, including summary executions, indiscriminate killings, kidnappings, and attacks on healthcare facilities. These actions are in direct opposition to the justice and rule of law targets within SDG 16.

Analysis of the Internet Shutdown

Technical Evidence and Timeline

Data from the Internet Outage Detection and Analysis (IODA) project confirms a near-complete loss of internet connectivity in Suwayda beginning July 14, 2025. Connectivity levels remained near zero until July 21 and, as of July 29, were still at less than 50% of normal levels. This data contradicts claims by the Syrian Ministry of Communications and Technology that the outage was due to “technical and logistical challenges.” Accounts from residents and activists suggest the blackout was a deliberate measure implemented in parallel with military operations.

Implications for Governance and Digital Rights

The intentional shutdown represents a failure by the Syrian transitional government to protect digital rights. Instead of addressing grievances, authorities appear to have resorted to repressive tactics, silencing communication and isolating the population. This action undermines the development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions as called for in SDG 16.6.

Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The internet shutdown is a direct assault on the foundations of SDG 16.

1. Violation of Fundamental Freedoms (Target 16.10): The blackout denies citizens their right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and access to information, which are essential for a just and peaceful society.
2. Erosion of Justice and Accountability: By preventing journalists and human rights defenders from monitoring and reporting on events, the shutdown fosters a climate of impunity for perpetrators of violence and human rights abuses.
3. Proliferation of Disinformation: The information vacuum has been filled with misinformation and disinformation, inciting sectarian division and violence, thereby undermining public trust and peacebuilding efforts.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The shutdown represents a deliberate disruption of critical infrastructure, directly opposing the goals of SDG 9.

• Denial of Access to ICT (Target 9.c): The action denies a significant population access to information and communications technology, a key enabler of economic and social development.
• Economic Disruption: The shutdown cripples the local digital economy, impacting businesses and livelihoods, which works against SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

In a time of crisis, internet access is a lifeline. The shutdown severely compromises public health and safety.

• Impeded Access to Healthcare: The blackout prevents citizens from seeking emergency medical help, accessing vital health information, and coordinating aid, directly undermining SDG 3.
• Hindrance to Humanitarian Response: The lack of connectivity makes it extremely difficult for humanitarian organizations to assess needs and deliver aid, including food, water, and medicine.

Recommendations for the Syrian Government

In alignment with international human rights obligations and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the #KeepItOn coalition calls on the Syrian government to take the following actions:

1. Immediately and unconditionally work to restore full internet access, telecommunications, and electricity in Suwayda and all affected areas to support community resilience (SDG 11) and access to information (SDG 16).
2. Refrain from using internet shutdowns as a tool of repression, recognizing them as a barrier to peace, justice, and sustainable development.
3. Uphold and protect the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and access to information as foundational elements of strong institutions (SDG 16).
4. Cease all forms of surveillance, censorship, and intimidation of civilians and protestors, both online and offline.
5. Actively combat the spread of mis/disinformation by ensuring transparency and allowing independent media and civil society to operate freely and safely, fostering an informed public (SDG 16.10).

These actions are critical for rebuilding trust, ensuring the safety of all citizens, and demonstrating a commitment to a future for Syria that is peaceful, just, and aligned with global development goals. The role of multi-stakeholder partnerships (SDG 17), including civil society, is vital in holding institutions accountable to these commitments.

Signatories

• Access Now
• Activate Rights
• Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC)
• Africa Open Data and Internet Research Foundation (AODIRF)
• Avocats Sans Frontières France
• Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE)
• Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria
• iWatch Africa
• JCA-NET
• Kijiji Yeetu
• Koneta Hub – South Sudan
• Life campaign to abolish the death sentence in Kurdistan
• Miaan Group
• Organization of the Justice Campaign
• Skyline International for Human Rights (SIHR)
• SMEX
• Ubunteam
• West African Digital Rights Defenders coalition

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This is the most central SDG in the article. The text focuses on violence, human rights abuses, the breakdown of the rule of law, and the failure of government institutions to protect fundamental freedoms. The internet shutdown is presented as a tool of repression by an unaccountable authority, directly undermining peace, justice, and the development of strong institutions. The article explicitly mentions “serious human rights abuses,” “summary executions,” “indiscriminate killings,” “impunity,” and the violation of “fundamental rights, such as the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and peaceful assembly.”

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article’s core subject is the disruption of critical infrastructure, specifically telecommunications and the internet. It details the “near-complete loss of internet connectivity” and calls on the government to “immediately and fully restore internet access.” This directly relates to the goal of developing reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure and providing universal access to information and communications technology (ICT).

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The conflict and resulting instability have made the region of Suwayda unsafe and unsustainable. The article highlights this by reporting that at least “176,000 displaced” people and the “looting and torching of local homes and shops.” This points to a failure to ensure safe and resilient human settlements.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The violence and infrastructure collapse directly impact public health. The article mentions “attacks on healthcare” and “widespread disruption to access to… medicine,” which compromises the health and well-being of the population and undermines the capacity to manage health crises.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article notes the “widespread disruption to access to food, water,” which directly threatens food security and the well-being of the population in the Suwayda governorate, linking the conflict to the fundamental goal of ending hunger.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
     
     The article directly addresses this target by reporting on the conflict that “erupted in violence,” leading to “over 1,400 people killed,” “summary executions,” and “indiscriminate killings.”
   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
     
     This is a primary focus. The internet shutdown is described as a violation of “the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and peaceful assembly.” The call to “end internet shutdowns” and allow “independent media and civil society to report freely” is a direct appeal to achieve this target.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
     
     The article implies a breakdown of the rule of law by mentioning that shutdowns enable “perpetrators to cover up these violations with impunity,” highlighting a lack of accountability and access to justice for victims of human rights abuses.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet.
     
     The article’s central theme is the deliberate reversal of this target. The government is condemned for the “internet disruptions” and “near-total blackout,” and the core demand is to “immediately and fully restore internet access.”

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… caused by disasters.
     
     The conflict is treated as a man-made disaster. The article provides data on its impact, citing “1,400 people killed” and “176,000 displaced” as people directly affected by the violence.

4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
     
     The article points to a weakening of this capacity through “attacks on healthcare” and disrupted “access to… medicine,” which makes it impossible to manage the health risks associated with the conflict and displacement.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. For Target 16.1 (Reduce Violence)

   • Indicator 16.1.2: Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population.
     
     The article provides a direct, though not per capita, measure for this indicator by stating that “over 1,400 people killed” due to the violent clashes.

2. For Target 16.10 (Access to Information)

   • Implied Indicator: Proportion of the population with access to the internet.
     
     The article provides specific data that can be used to measure this. The “Internet Outage Detection and Analysis (IODA) project” confirmed “a near-complete loss of internet connectivity,” with levels “reaching close to zero” and later recovering to “less than 50% of normal levels.” This data directly tracks progress (or regression) toward this target.
   • Indicator 16.10.1: Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and torture of journalists, associated media personnel, trade unionists and human rights advocates.
     
     The article implies threats to this indicator by noting it is “extremely difficult for journalists and human rights defenders to monitor and report human rights abuses” and that “journalists being blocked from entering the region.”

3. For Target 11.5 (Reduce Disaster Impact)

   • Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
     
     The article provides raw numbers for the “directly affected persons” component of this indicator, specifically the “176,000 displaced” people.

Summary of Findings

Source: accessnow.org