Al-Sharaa criticizes Syria sectarian killings, says threaten unity
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The transitional president of Syria reveals in an interview with Reuters that he will seek justice for the coastal violence as he blames "pro-Assad groups".
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Syria's interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa, center, arrives to speak at Syria's national dialogue conference at the People’s Palace in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday Feb. 25, 2025 (AP)
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has pledged to hold accountable those responsible for the recent mass killings of Alawite Muslims, warning that such violence threatens his efforts to unite the war-torn country.
In his first interview with a global news agency since assuming power, al-Sharaa, speaking to Reuters, promised justice – even if it meant prosecuting his own allies, he claimed.
"Syria is a state of law. The law will take its course on all," al-Sharaa told Reuters from the Damascus presidential palace. "We fought to defend the oppressed, and we won't accept that any blood be shed unjustly or go without punishment or accountability, even among those closest to us."
Al-Sharaa revealed that 200 members of the security forces had been killed in the clashes. However, he refrained from disclosing the total death toll, claiming that an independent committee would investigate and provide an official figure.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the recent deaths of civilians from the minority Alawite community have raised the total death toll from violence since Thursday to 1,018. This includes 125 security personnel and 148 fighters reportedly affiliated with the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, the monitor noted.
The Observatory said security forces and allied groups killed 745 Alawite civilians over the past three days, revising upward a previous toll.
'Challenge to national unity'
Al-Sharaa admitted that the recent bloodshed posed a serious challenge to his goal of national unity. "It will impact this path," he said, but he vowed to "rectify the situation as much as we can."
To address the crisis, al-Sharaa has established an independent investigative committee to probe the killings within 30 days and ensure justice. A second committee has been formed to promote civil peace and reconciliation. "Blood begets more blood," al-Sharaa warned, emphasizing the need to prevent further sectarian strife.
Al-Sharaa refrained from commenting on whether foreign fighters or his own security forces were involved in the killings, stating that these matters would be addressed by the investigation.
Moreover, al-Sharaa blamed loyalists of ousted President Bashar al-Assad and foreign interference for inciting the bloodshed, which has rocked cities such as Latakia, Banyas, and Jableh.
Al-Sharaa accused Assad loyalists within the 4th Division, led by the former president’s brother Maher al-Assad, of deliberately instigating the clashes on Thursday.
He suggested that an unnamed foreign power with vested interests in Syria’s previous regime played a role in exacerbating tensions. "Their goal was to foment unrest and create communal discord," al-Sharaa stated, without directly identifying the alleged foreign actor.
Al-Sharaa also blamed sanctions for the instability, saying it would be difficult to impose security with sanctions in place. Additionally, despite the urgent need for diplomatic engagement, al-Sharaa confirmed that no direct contact had been established with President Donald Trump’s administration since Trump took office. "The Syrian file is not on the US’s list of priorities. You should ask them. Syria’s door is open."
Talks ongoing with Russia
Speaking on the Russian presence in Syria, al-Sharaa revealed that there are ongoing negotiations with Moscow over its military presence in the country. This comes as Russia maintains two military installations in Syria: the Tartous Naval Base and Hmeimim Air Base.
Al-Sharaa acknowledged that while both governments had agreed to reassess prior agreements, discussions had yet to reach a conclusive resolution. "We do not want a rift between Syria and Russia, nor do we want the Russian presence to pose a danger or threat to any country. Our goal is to preserve deep strategic relations," he said.
He also revealed that his forces had refrained from directly targeting Russian positions during their uprising against Assad, emphasizing a desire for post-conflict diplomacy.
US-backed Kurds and 'Israel'
While the interim government seeks to establish authority, several regions remain outside its control, including the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) strongholds in northeastern Syria. Talks are ongoing between Damascus and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi, who has cited the recent sectarian violence as a justification for maintaining SDF autonomy.
Al-Sharaa, however, signaled his willingness to engage in negotiations, stating, "We want a negotiated resolution and will meet with Abdi."
The country's south is also witnessing paramount tensions as the Israeli occupation unilaterally declared a demilitarized zone and warned of military action should al-Sharaa’s forces attempt to deploy in the area. Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz labeled the Syrian interim president as "a jihadist terrorist of the al-Qaeda school who is committing horrifying acts against a civilian population."
Sharaa dismissed the occupation's increasingly aggressive rhetoric and Katz’s remarks as "nonsense." He pointed to the Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, stating, "They are the last ones who can talk."
Violence continues
Earlier in the day, the Syrian Ministry of Defense of the new administration announced the conclusion of its military operation in the coastal region, stating that public institutions were now able to resume their functions.
The ministry confirmed the neutralization of security cells and remnants of the former regime in areas across Latakia and Tartous provinces.
However, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, armed groups entered the town of Harisun in the Baniyas countryside alongside new administration's Ministry of Defense forces, engaging in looting and burning of homes and properties. The town was also subjected to bombardment.
An Al Mayadeen correspondent in Syria reported that residents of several villages in the Jableh countryside—including Kankaro, al-Qutailbiyah, Hammam al-Qarahla, al-Sakhaba, al-Rahbiya, al-Aqiba, and al-Rawush—have appealed for security forces to intervene and protect them from ongoing killings, kidnappings, and arson. They also urged that their voices be heard to stop the massacres.
The correspondent further noted that chaos persists in the Syrian coastal region, with massacres continuing despite official declarations of the security operation’s completion. He also reported that residents were being extorted for large sums of money in scarce US dollars to ensure their safety.
The escalating threats against Alawite communities in the Damascus countryside have prompted many to flee toward al-Suweida, according to the report.
An eyewitness speaking to Al Mayadeen called for international protection and an independent investigative committee to probe what he described as "genocidal operations" in the coastal region.
