Syria extends investigation into Alawite civilian killings amid sectarian violence

In Syria, a recent surge in sectarian violence has led to the death of over 1,000 civilians, primarily from the Alawite community, a religious minority loyal to former President Bashar Assad. The violence erupted on March 6, 2025, in coastal areas such as Latakia and Baniyas, following ambushes conducted by Assad loyalists against new government patrols. In retaliation, Islamist-led groups initiated coordinated assaults on Alawite neighborhoods, culminating in some of the bloodiest clashes witnessed in the country’s modern history. This unprecedented violence has heightened fears of a renewed civil war and has reportedly displaced thousands of Alawites, driving around 30,000 individuals to seek refuge in northern Lebanon. In response, on March 9, President Ahmed al-Sharaa established a fact-finding committee, empowering it to investigate the killings and identify those responsible. The committee was initially given a month to report its findings. However, as violence escalated and the complexity of the ongoing situation became apparent, the committee requested more time to complete its work. On April 10, 2025, al-Sharaa granted this request, providing a non-renewable three-month extension. Spokesperson for the committee, Yasser Farhan, revealed that they documented 41 sites of killings, indicating the extensive nature of the violence but noted that some areas remain inaccessible, hindering evidence collection. Meanwhile, human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have expressed concern regarding the independence and resource adequacy of the committee. Amnesty's report highlighted that at least 32 out of more than 100 fatalities in Baniyas were targeted on sectarian grounds, possibly constituting war crimes. The ongoing atmosphere of fear and revenge threatens to perpetuate a vicious cycle of violence, underscoring the urgent need for a thorough and credible investigation into these heinous acts.