The Syrian coast remains in turmoil following a terror campaign by Assad regime remnants sparking waves of violence and extrajudicial killings involving vigilantes, and rogue military elements aligned with the new Syrian government. As authorities restore order, an independent judicial investigation is underway, while international organizations call for accountability.
Fact-Finding Committee Investigates Violence
The Independent National Commission for Investigation and Fact-Finding into the Events on the Syrian Coast has begun its work, aiming to uncover the full scope of the violence. Announced by committee spokesperson Yasser al-Farhan, the investigation seeks to determine responsibility for the attacks that began on March 6, which claimed hundreds of lives, including civilians and members of the Security Forces.
The committee, formed by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, includes judges, security experts, and human rights lawyers. It has pledged to conduct on-the-ground investigations, interview witnesses, and ensure that all responsible parties—regardless of affiliation—are held accountable. Farhan emphasized that the findings will be submitted to the judiciary but will not be made public to protect witnesses.
International Organizations Condemn Violence
Reports from human rights organizations paint a grim picture of the coastal violence. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has documented widespread summary executions, looting, and sectarian killings in Latakia and Tartous.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) reports that at least 803 people were killed between March 6 and 10, with about half of the victims targeted by remnants of the Assad regime and the rest killed in security operations. The UN Human Rights Office has confirmed at least 111 civilian deaths, including entire families, with spokesperson Thamin Al-Khaitan warning that the real number is likely much higher.
Amnesty International has called for an independent and transparent investigation, with regional director Heba Morayef stressing that “impunity will continue unless authorities ensure impartial accountability.” The organization has urged Syria’s government to allow independent international observers into the country to assess the situation firsthand.
Government Arrests & Security Efforts
As the investigation unfolds, Syrian authorities have arrested several individuals linked to the massacres. The Ministry of Interior confirmed the recent arrest of four people involved in unlawful killings, while the military police arrested three soldiers after videos emerged showing those executing civilians. In Latakia’s countryside, two men were apprehended for carrying out an execution that was widely circulated on social media.
To restore stability, the Ministry of Defense (MOD) has withdrawn military forces from urban centers, handing security responsibilities to the General Security Administration (GSA). MOD spokesman Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani announced government institutions resumed operations and new security plans are in place to counter any resurgence of pro-Assad loyalist attacks.
President Sharaa acknowledged that the coastal massacres pose a major challenge to his administration’s efforts to reunite the country. He has vowed to hold those responsible accountable, regardless of their political affiliations, and emphasized the need to prevent further bloodshed.
