The Fact Investigation Committee was established on March 9, 2025 to investigate civilian killings on the northwestern coast of Syria and to bring its Vice President Ahmad al-Sharaa
President al-Sharaa must commit to publishing the full findings of the fact-finding Commission’s investigation into mass killings targeting civilians in Alavet along the coast and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.
Kristine Beckerle, Deputy Regional Director of the Middle East and North Africa, Amnesty International.
“President al-Sharaa must commit to publishing the full findings of the Fact-Investigation Commission’s investigation into mass killings of civilians in the Alaveite coastal areas and ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice. Victims and the public have the right to understand the methodology used in this process and the conclusions of the Commission.
“Survivors and victims’ families have the right to know what happened, who is responsible and who the authorities will take concrete steps of justice. Only an independent and impartial investigation can lead to a reliable and fair trial. The president must also ensure effective compensation to the survivors and affected families.
“After the Holocaust, the President promised to hold the perpetrators accountable. ‘Everything is fair and not lenient.’ Now is the time to fulfill this promise and prove to the Syrian people, and the authorities are committed to preventing communities based on religious or political affiliation and bringing lawsuits against those who commit targeted killings to ensure violations of the violations of the Alavet community and other minorities and other minorities.
background:
On March 6, 2025, armed groups affiliated with the former government led by President Bashar al-Assad carried out several coordinated attacks on the Coastal Governor of Latakia and the Coastal Governor of Tartous. In response, with support from the support militia, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior launched a counterattack, resulting in escalation of violence.
In April 2025, Amnesty International called on authorities to investigate hundreds of civilians in coastal areas as war crimes. The government-related militia killed more than 100 people in the coastal city of Benias from March 8 to 9, 2025 only. The group investigated the killings of 32 people and concluded that they were intentional, illegal, and specifically targeted the Alavian minority.
In June 2025, Reuters reported that in the violence, about 1,500 Alawites were killed in 40 different locations.
