The independent national committee tasked with investigating the recent violence on the Syrian coast has begun its work, amid heightened public interest and international reactions. The committee, formed by presidential decree following the terror campaign by remnants of the former Assad regime, is expected to deliver its findings within 30 days.
Investigative Progress & Arrests
The committee’s work has already led to arrests. The General Security Administration (GSA) detained several individuals suspected of involvement in civilian violations, including two men captured on video committing extrajudicial killings in a coastal village. The Ministry of Defense’s (MOD) military police also arrested two others seen in a widely circulated video attacking civilians. Authorities have referred them to the judiciary for prosecution.
Further investigations, conducted by the ICAD platform, suggest that a network of former Assad regime fighters was behind the recent wave of violence. The report identified key figures, including Bassam Hussam al-Din, a former militia commander, and Jaafar Saeed, whose group coordinated armed attacks against security forces. Saeed was killed in a security operation earlier this year, but his brother, Hafez Saeed, is still believed to be active, spreading propaganda on social media to recruit fighters.
Syria’s MOD confirmed that military operations against regime remnants have concluded. “We have achieved all our objectives, neutralized key threats, and secured the region,” said Defense Ministry spokesperson Colonel Hassan Abdulghani. He assured that security forces will now focus on stability and preventing further violence.
International & Domestic Reactions
The UN’s role in the investigation remains a point of contention. While a UN delegation was seen visiting Latakia and Tartous, UN Resident Coordinator Adam Abdelmoula denied that the organization had sent a fact-finding mission. “The UN has not dispatched any mission to investigate or conduct inquiries in the Syrian coastal region,” he stated, emphasizing that such efforts require authorization from the UN Security Council or Human Rights Council.
International calls for accountability have grown louder. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot urged Damascus to ensure justice for victims, while the EU issued a statement emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation. Human rights groups, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), reported that 779 people have died in the violence, with at least 383 killed by Assad regime remnants.
Domestically, reactions to the committee’s formation have been mixed. Human rights activist Muhammad Sabra argued that the committee’s effectiveness will depend on its ability to access all parties and deliver unbiased findings. Political researcher Abdul Rahman al-Hajj welcomed the move, stating that it represents “a turning point” in Syria’s approach to accountability. However, activist Yamen al-Hussein criticized the committee’s limited scope, arguing that it must investigate a broader timeline of violence beyond the recent clashes.
Looking Ahead
With the investigation committee working under a tight deadline, the next few weeks will be critical in shaping Syria’s response to the coastal violence. The government has pledged transparency and justice, but the public remains watchful for concrete actions. The success of the committee’s work, and the government’s willingness to implement its recommendations, will likely determine whether Syria can move toward genuine accountability or face further unrest.
