Syrian Transitional Government announces investigative committee after over 1,000 killed in chaotic violence along Syria’s coast

LATAKIA and TARTUS, Syria — The most recent death toll from the violence that has gripped Syria’s coastal regions over the past several days has surpassed 1,000. The explosion of carnage risks deepening sectarian divisions and reviving old wounds from the nation’s protracted civil war.

Sudden and Violent Escalation

The deadly clashes erupted on Thursday when an ambush near the port city of Latakia targeted a patrol of the Syrian Transitional Government’s (STG) General Security. Gunmen loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad, drawn largely from the Alawite community, struck at government forces — a move that quickly spiraled into widespread fighting and massacres of civilians. In the ensuing chaos, remnants of Assad’s loyalist military and intelligence networks launched coordinated attacks, with local reports describing the operation as a calculated effort to seize control of strategic towns including Qardaha, the symbolic birthplace of the Assad regime.

Eyewitness accounts from coastal areas, including the hard-hit town of Baniyas, depict scenes of unbridled violence: homes looted and torched, bodies left abandoned on streets and rooftops, and armed groups stopping civilians on their doorsteps to verify their religious affiliations before executing them. The brutality has not only shocked local residents but has also underscored the deep-seated sectarian fissures that continue to divide Syria.

Strategic Targets and Civilian Victims

The violence has not only targeted symbolic centers of power but also key strategic assets. In Baniyas, home to Syria’s largest oil refinery, security forces reported multiple attempts by remnants of the old regime to destabilize the region through coordinated attacks. The disruption of essential services such as electricity and drinking water in and around Latakia has compounded the humanitarian crisis, as thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes for safety in the nearby mountains.

According to reported figures, the death toll now exceeds 1,000 — a figure that includes approximately 745 civilians, 125 government security personnel, and 148 militants linked to Assad’s old guard. Detailed reports reveal that many of the civilian casualties were killed in close-range shootings, while the STG struggled to stem the tide of revenge killings. Residents in Baniyas recalled harrowing moments when gunmen, reportedly including foreign fighters and local militants, roamed neighborhoods, forcing families into hiding and leaving entire communities in mourning.

The vast majority of those killed are from the Alawite community, which is concentrated in coastal regions like Latakia and Tartus. The Alawite sect, having enjoyed privileged status under Assad with many working inside or for the violent regime, now grapples with uncertainty and fears of retribution under the predominantly Sunni Islamist-led government. Transitional President al-Sharaa claims to aim for inclusive governance and fair elections, though many remain skeptical.

At least three Christians were killed in the violence. However, despite some news outlets and prominent voices on social media, including Elon Musk, highlighting the Christian victims, there is no evidence to suggest they were targeted over their religious affiliation, as were members of the Alawite community.

Government Response and Calls for Accountability

In response to the escalating bloodshed, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to restore order and accountability. Speaking from Daramsuq (Damascus), al-Sharaa announced the creation of the Independent National Investigation Committee, a fact-finding committee charged with investigating the events on the coast. The Investigation Committee, empowered to utilize any necessary resources, is mandated to deliver its findings within 30 days — a move that officials hope will both curb further violence and reassure a nation weary of recurring bloodshed.

Al-Sharaa also announced the creation of the Higher Committee for Civil Peace tasked with 1) directly communicating with communities in the coastal region, 2) addressing their concerns and ensuring their security, and 3) strengthening national unity.

Political parties and civil society organizations in North and East Syria have condemned the violence and atrocities committed against civilians. In a joint statement, ten organizations, including the Syriac Union Party (SUP), called for legal accountability and an end to violence and inflammatory rhetoric.

The statement highlighted the need for a Syrian-led dialogue to resolve the crisis, rejecting unilateral approaches and emphasizing an inclusive political process to ensure justice, dignity, and equality for all communities. The parties urged the STG to commit to such a process and called for a transitional justice framework aligned with UN conventions to address violence against civilians transparently.

General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi sharply criticized the STG for what he described as an inadequate response. Abdi accused Turkey-backed factions and extremist groups within the new Ministry of Defense of exploiting the power vacuum. He urged al-Sharaa to hold all perpetrators responsible and to rethink the structure of the newly formed national army. Abdi’s comments underscore growing concerns among various factions that external influences and internal power struggles may be fueling the ongoing violence.

International Reactions

The recent surge in violence has elicited significant international concern and condemnation.

A joint statement by Greek (Rûm) Orthodox Church of Antioch Mor John X Yazigi, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, and Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch Youssef Absi strongly condemned the “massacres targeting innocent citizens,” specifically highlighting the killing of women and children, the raiding and looting of homes, and the “immense suffering endured by the Syrian people.” The statement called for Syria to provide equal rights and foster “genuine partnership” among all its citizens, regardless of their backgrounds, while moving away from the “logic of vengeance and exclusion.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington “condemns the radical Islamist terrorists, including foreign jihadis, that murdered people in western Syria” and stood with the country’s minorities.

Germany’s Foreign Ministry expressed shock over the numerous victims in western Syria, calling for peaceful solutions, national unity, inclusive political dialogue, and transitional justice to overcome the spiral of violence and hatred.

We are shocked by the numerous victims in the western regions of Syria. We call on all sides to seek for peaceful solutions, national unity, inclusive political dialogue and transitional justice – to overcome the spiral of violence and hatred. https://t.co/DnwlYkrEKO

— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) March 7, 2025

France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning all sectarian and civilian-involved violence occurring in Syria and requested that the Syrian Transitional Government employ independent investigations to sentence the perpetrators of the regional violence and killings.

Neighboring countries, including Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon, have collectively called for the lifting of Western-led sanctions on Syria and emphasized the importance of reconciliation efforts to stabilize the region.

Additionally, the International Committee of the Red Cross expressed deep concern over the escalating violence, urging all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and allow unhindered access for humanitarian aid.

The @ICRC is extremely concerned by the reports of violence in the coastal area of Syria. We urge all actors involved to respect civilian lives & ensure access to first responders/ humanitarian workers so they can provide medical aid & transport the wounded & dead.@SSakalianICRC pic.twitter.com/Ld3JRaphWZ

— ICRC Syria (@ICRC_sy) March 8, 2025

Nation at a Crossroads

As the investigation into the coastal violence begins, the future of Syria remains perilously uncertain. The Transitional Government faces mounting pressure both domestically and internationally to not only halt the ongoing violence but also to implement structural reforms that can pave the way for a truly inclusive political transition. Skeptics remain wary that without robust accountability measures and a reformed security apparatus, Syria might once again be thrust into the kind of protracted conflict that has defined its recent history.

For now, as a mosaic of displaced families and grieving communities look for answers, the hope rests on decisive action from a government determined to bridge Syria’s sectarian divides — and on international support to guide the nation toward long-term peace and stability.