Syria’s leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has vowed to hold anyone responsible for harming civilians accountable after days of violent clashes that left hundreds of civilians dead, primarily from the Alawite religious minority.
A UK-based monitor reported that 830 civilians were killed in what it described as “massacres” on Syria’s west coast on Friday and Saturday, though the BBC has not been able to verify these figures independently. The overall death toll, which includes 231 security forces and 250 pro-Assad fighters, now stands at 1,311, marking one of the worst episodes since the fall of the Assad regime.
In a televised speech broadcast on national TV and shared on social media, Sharaa, whose rebel movement toppled Bashar al-Assad last December, warned that remnants of the former regime and their foreign backers are trying to incite new strife to divide the country. “We affirm that we will hold accountable, firmly and without leniency, anyone who is involved in the bloodshed of civilians or harming our people,” he said. He emphasized that no one would be above the law, promising that those with blood on their hands would face justice.
Sharaa announced the formation of an “independent committee” tasked with investigating violations against civilians and identifying those responsible. He also called for national unity, though he did not directly address accusations that his supporters were committing atrocities in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartous.
The violence has forced hundreds of civilians along the Mediterranean coast to flee their homes, and demonstrators have gathered in Damascus, with many protesting in Martyrs’ Square against the deadly conflict. In some areas, such as Latakia, large crowds have sought refuge at a Russian military base, chanting for protection.
The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the civilian casualties and called on all parties to avoid actions that might further destabilize the country. UN officials have stressed the need for prompt, transparent, and impartial investigations into all reported violations.
Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon has condemned the killings of Alawites in Latakia and Tartous as “systematic” and “extremely dangerous,” accusing the interim government of failing to control the escalating crisis. Despite these growing tensions, Sharaa remains determined to bring those responsible for the violence to justice, pledging that the rule of law will prevail in Syria.
