HRW Calls on Syria for Accountability as Sectarian Violence Forces Alawites to Flee to Lebanon
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Syria’s new authorities to ensure accountability following the mass killings of over 1,200 civilians, primarily from the Alawite community, amid escalating violence in the coastal region.
The violence erupted last Thursday when security forces clashed with gunmen loyal to former president Bashar Assad, an Alawite, resulting in a devastating toll on civilians, Arab News reported.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 1,093 civilians have been killed since the outbreak of violence, with evidence of indiscriminate shootings and summary executions. HRW’s deputy regional director, Adam Coogle, condemned the “coastal killing spree,” emphasizing the need for swift government action to protect civilians and prosecute perpetrators.
In a desperate bid for safety, over 350 families crossed the Nahr El Kabir River into Lebanon, fleeing the sectarian violence targeting Alawites. Witnesses described horrifying scenes of bodies found in villages and threats from militants. This influx of refugees adds to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, which has seen more than a million Syrians seek refuge in Lebanon since the conflict began in 2011.
Syria’s interim President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who leads the newly formed government, has vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the violence, including potential allies. Meanwhile, authorities have announced the arrest of at least two fighters implicated in the killings, and an independent committee has been established to investigate the atrocities.
As the situation remains dire, HRW has called for full cooperation with independent monitors to ensure accountability for all parties involved, including groups like Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), which have a documented history of human rights abuses. The international community watches closely as the new Syrian leadership grapples with its commitment to protect the country’s diverse religious and ethnic minorities.
