The conflict and war in Syria have created catastrophic humanitarian and economic damage and a dangerous legacy of environmental pollution. While scenes of destruction, rubble, and burning cities dominate the media landscape, other forms of damage remain less visible, yet grow more serious with each passing year. Combat operations have damaged a range of ecosystems, and weapons-related pollution has compounded the suffering of civilians in most parts of Syria. The destruction of farmland, the uprooting of green cover, and the spillage of toxic substances are not fleeting effects; they leave a lasting legacy on public health and biodiversity (Rozana, 2022).

In recent years, environmental justice has gained unprecedented global momentum, especially in light of Russia's aggression in Ukraine and Israel's war on Gaza. These conflicts have highlighted the deep link between military destruction and environmental collapse. Although the prosecution of environmental crimes is still limited at the international level, incorporating the environmental dimension into transitional justice mechanisms provides a comprehensive and more realistic approach to remedy, based on recognition, reparation of the harm, and ensuring non-repetition.

In the Syrian context, future transitional justice must include a clear environmental dimension, through measures such as forming a multilateral national fund to compensate those affected by environmental damage and pollution, and funding projects to rehabilitate the affected areas. A key step is comprehensive and multidimensional documentation, whether through community testimonies, scientific investigations, aerial photographs, and environmental maps. Responsibility for the damage is not limited to local parties to the conflict but also includes external actors such as Russia and members of the anti-ISIS coalition, who participated in polluting military activities and must, therefore, bear part of the responsibility for environmental reconstruction.

The Environmental Impact of the War in Syria

The full picture of the environmental damage of the conflict in Syria remains unclear, due to limited research capacity and the absence of an effective national or international environmental monitoring system throughout the conflict. This has been compounded by systematic disregard by all parties to the conflict, further exacerbating the environmental catastrophe.

Heavy bombing and military tactics in Syria have contributed to environmental pollution in many ways. Oil refineries and processing plants have been targeted by airstrikes and artillery shelling, resulting in massive oil spills, contaminating surface and groundwater, and agricultural soils. Reports indicate that the oil spill from the Homs refineries, for instance, created toxic stains that spread across large areas of irrigated land, ending vegetable production and posing serious risks to the health and livelihoods of farmers and livestock herders (Arab Reform Initiative, 2021).

In addition, some battles have used munitions loaded with heavy metals and hazardous chemicals. Such metals (like lead, mercury, and arsenic deposited in the soil) have now become a source of long-term pollution. They will remain in the ecosystem for decades, moving from the soil to plants and then to humans and animals, causing chronic diseases (Rozana, 2022).

Air pollution has also exacerbated health crises. Dust of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was already a concern in Syrian cities before the conflict, but the war has significantly exacerbated the situation. The proportion of the population exposed to PM2.5 increased from 69% in 2010 to 72% in 2015 as a result of aerial bombardment and the indiscriminate burning of waste and other materials. Studies indicate that air pollution has contributed to an estimated 17% increase in mortality rates over a seven-year period (Syria Untold, 2023).

Water sources have deteriorated dramatically. Sewage treatment plants have been destroyed, resulting in polluted water flowing into rivers and wells and the spread of diseases such as hepatitis and cholera (Syria Untold, 2023).

In northern Syria, communities rely mainly on hand-dug wells, often without sanitary control. There have been reports of changes in the taste and color of drinking water (Enab Baladi, 2024).

The amount of waste also increased, due to the weak or absent services of municipal cleaners, with the daily amount rising to more than 850 tons. As a result of the lack of effective infrastructure, local communities resorted to burning waste in the open air, leading to severe air pollution and the spread of diseases (Syria Untold, 2023).

Social Inequality and Future Risks

The effects of environmental pollution vary across regions, with the population of the peri-urban areas bearing the brunt, especially in areas surrounding oil refineries or factories. These communities are often exposed to emissions from generators and the use of poor-quality fuels. Many of these areas have suffered from high levels of destruction during the conflict, which resulted in the collapse of the basic health services. In many cases, poor families are forced to rely on unsafe water or burn waste for heating.

There is growing concern that continued environmental neglect will lead to future catastrophic scenarios, including shifts in soil structure, declining agricultural production, and rising rates of chronic diseases. Without measures to remedy the situation, the potential for recurring disasters or widespread epidemics is a real possibility.

Environmental Justice as Part of Transitional Justice

Several international experiences confirm that integrating the environmental dimension into transitional justice mechanisms is not symbolic, but rather a practical necessity to ensure reconciliation and stability. In Colombia, the 2022 Truth Commission devoted a separate chapter to environmental damage, addressing deforestation, river pollution, and the destruction of indigenous lands. It recommended environmental restoration, the protection of environmental defenders, and the integration of environmental rights into peacebuilding processes (International Committee of the Red Cross, 2024).

In Peru, civic organizations have pushed for compensation for communities affected by mining pollution, as evidenced by the decision of the American Family Court of Human Rights, which obliged the state to compensate the residents of La Oroya for damages caused by air and water pollution with heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, including an obligation for the state to assess the pollution and provide medical and financial support (Reuters, 2024).

In Tunisia, the Truth and Dignity Commission addressed the issue of environmental marginalization in rural areas and proposed a national fund to repair environmental damage, although it was not implemented for political reasons (ICTJ, 2024).

In Liberia, the Commission heard testimonies about the systematic destruction of forests by armed groups and its impact on biodiversity and displacement (The Day Light, 2023).

In the case of Syria, it is necessary to propose clear mechanisms that include:

• A national subcommittee within the National Commission for Transitional Justice to undertake investigations of environmental damage and document violations through scientific and community-based tools.
• Public hearings in the most affected areas, such as Deir ez-Zor, Baniyas, and others.
• Engage local and international experts in assessing the effects of environmental damage and pollution.
• Include environmental standards in reconstruction projects and ensure these standards are respected and implemented by the companies involved.
• Investigate the role of foreign companies and entities involved in polluting industrial or military activity, including members of the international coalition against ISIS.

Toward Inclusive and Environmentally Sustainable Peace

No reconciliation in Syria can be sustainable if it ignores the environmental impact of the war. Environmental reform is no less important than institutional reform and is an essential pillar of justice in a comprehensive sense – a justice that recognizes that victimization is not limited to humans, but extends to the land, air, water, and ecosystems that have been destroyed.

Ensuring Syrians' right to a safe and healthy environment is integral to their right to dignity. Including environmental justice in transitional justice is an investment in a healthy future for future generations seeking security, justice, and a decent living.