Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Saree: Earlier yesterday morning, the Yemeni Armed Forces' UAV unit carried out a military operation targeting Lydd Airport with a Yafa-type drone
Saree: The operation successfully achieved its goal and forced millions of Zionists into shelters, and air traffic at the airport was halted for about an hour
Saree: The operation was carried out with two ballistic missiles, one of which was a hypersonic Palestine 2 missile and the other was a Thulfiqar missile
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The rocket force of the Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a top-tier military operation targeting Lydd Airport, called Ben Gurion Airport in 'Israel', in occupied Yafa
Tebboune: Achieving economic integration must not remain a dream.
Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf delivers a speech on behalf of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at the Fifth Arab Development, Economic, and Social Summit in Baghdad.
Mustafa: We reaffirm our commitment to work with our brothers and friends around the world for stability and an end to wars.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa: We stress the importance of reaching an agreement to implement the initiatives of the Development, Economic, and Social Summit.
Aboul Gheit: The global economy is going through a period of turbulence.
Aboul Gheit: Concrete solutions must be found for the issue of Arab food security in line with the strategy proposed at the Arab Summit in Baghdad.

Syria forms investigative committee to address sectarian killings

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Mar 2025 16:59
4 Min Read

The new administration has responded to the latest wave of killings with the establishment of a seven-member committee tasked with investigating the events, collecting testimonies, and verifying evidence such as video footage.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    Yaser Farhan, spokesperson for the Syrian investigation committee tasked with probing violence and revenge killing targeting the Alawite minority along the Syrian coast, holds a press conference in Damascus, Syria, March 11, 2025 (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

Syrian authorities have launched an official investigation into a surge of deadly violence in the country's coastal region, vowing to uphold justice and prevent retaliatory attacks. The fact-finding committee, formed in response to the crisis, affirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability for those responsible for the bloodshed.

"The new Syria is determined to enshrine justice and the rule of law, protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens, prevent unlawful revenge and guarantee that there is no impunity," said committee spokesman Yasser al-Farhan during a press conference in Damascus.

The recent wave of violence, concentrated along Syria's Mediterranean coast, has resulted in a significant civilian death toll. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 1,093 people have been killed since Thursday, with entire families reportedly executed. The UN Human Rights Office confirmed evidence of "summary executions" that appeared to be "carried out on a sectarian basis," raising concerns over the targeted nature of the attacks.

"In a number of extremely disturbing instances, entire families -- including women, children and individuals hors de combat -- were killed, with predominantly Alawite cities and villages targeted in particular," the UN body stated.

The violence erupted in Latakia and Tartus following an attempted arrest operation that spiraled into clashes between forces of the new Syrian administration and opposition groups. The situation quickly escalated, with waves of killings primarily targeting members of the Alawite minority. The Observatory, local Christian leaders, and international observers have described the situation as a "massacre."

Related News

Syria’s transitional authorities launch justice commission

Syria says all military units integrated under Defense Ministry

Mass Displacement

According to the UN, at least 111 bodies have been documented so far, including 90 men, 18 women, and three children. However, the actual toll is believed to be significantly higher, as many bodies remain unaccounted for. The chaos has forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes, with some seeking refuge in neighboring Lebanon while others have moved to rural areas or makeshift shelters in the mountains.

The new administration has responded with the establishment of a seven-member committee tasked with investigating the events, collecting testimonies, and verifying evidence such as video footage. Farhan emphasized that authorities will ensure direct channels for civilians to report information to the committee. The findings will be submitted to both the presidency and the judiciary.

Read more: UN staff in Syria relocated amid escalation of clashes on Syrian coast

Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who took office in December 2024 after Assad's ouster, has underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that "killings of Alawites threaten unity" and warning against further escalation. He vowed that those responsible, regardless of their affiliations, would be held accountable.

Ongoing Atrocities

The investigation will initially cover incidents from Thursday to Saturday, the period of the most intense fighting, before extending to more recent attacks. While a temporary lull was reported over the weekend, new killings have continued, with reports of civilians being executed in their homes or on the streets.

Videos shared by the Observatory and on social media depict graphic scenes of bodies piled outside houses and armed men in military attire executing people at close range. Witnesses in Latakia described security sweeps that resulted in mass arrests and disappearances, raising fears of further extrajudicial killings.

The international community has urged the Syrian administration to ensure a transparent and impartial investigation. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have called for immediate action to prevent further sectarian bloodshed.

  • Syria
  • Alawite community
  • HTS

Most Read

Two F-35 jets arrive at it's new operational base Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at Hill Air Force Base, in northern Utah. (AP)

F-35 near-misses over Yemen signal new risks for 'Israel': Forbes

  • Politics
  • 14 May 2025
Palestinians pray over bodies of people killed in the Israeli bombardment who were brought from the Shifa hospital before burying them in a mass grave in the town of Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP )

Gaza casualty figures mask a much bigger horror, new study shows

  • Politics
  • 11 May 2025
Abu Obaida

Abu Obeida posts shortly after Israeli reports about his assassination

  • Palestine
  • 15 May 2025
Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

Gaza and the logic of necropolitics: Sovereignty measured by killing

  • Politics
  • 15 May 2025

Coverage

All
Gaza prevails against genocide

Read Next

All
A Microsoft sign and logo are pictured at the company's headquarters, Friday, April 4, 2025, in Redmond, Wash. (AP)
Technology

Microsoft admits supplying AI to 'Israel' amid Gaza carnage

Israeli occupation’s tanks parked in a staging area near the border with Gaza, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' launches multi-axis assault in Gaza under 'Gideon’s Chariots'

People stand at the train ticket counter of NJ Transit at Penn Station, amid a strike by New Jersey Transit train engineers, in New York, Friday, May 16, 2025. (AP)
Economy

Commuters stranded amid first New Jersey railway strike in 40 years

Trump's tax bill stalls as Republican opposition demands deeper cuts
US & Canada

Trump's tax bill stalls as Republican opposition demands deeper cuts

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS