Syria Must Investigate Alawite Civilian Killings as War Crimes, Says Amnesty International

Over 100 Alawite civilians were reportedly killed in the coastal city of Banias on March 8 and 9, 2025, according to information gathered by Amnesty International. Amnesty International’s investigation confirmed 32 deliberate killings, primarily in the al-Qusour neighborhood, where armed men specifically asked victims about their sect before executing them. Eyewitnesses indicated that perpetrators blamed the Alawite community for past government violations.

Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, stated, “Deliberately killing civilians is a war crime,” emphasizing the need for accountability. The organization highlighted that the killings occurred after armed groups affiliated with the former government launched attacks on security sites in Latakia and Tartous, prompting a violent government counteroffensive.

The UN reported at least 111 civilian deaths across the coastal governorates of Tartous, Latakia, and Hama, with many cases involving summary executions based on sectarian lines. The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented 420 unlawful killings, including 39 children, mainly by militias linked to the authorities.

Witness testimonies reveal that families were forced to bury their loved ones in mass graves without religious rites. Many victims were shot at close range, with bodies piled in an empty lot next to Sheikh Hilal cemetery. One resident described seeing “hundreds of corpses” during the burial process.

In response to the killings, President Ahmed al-Sharaa pledged to hold perpetrators accountable and established a fact-finding committee. However, Amnesty International warns that this committee must have the authority, expertise, and resources to conduct effective investigations, including access to mass burial sites and protection for witnesses.

The ongoing cycle of violence underscores the urgent need for justice in Syria, where more than a decade of conflict has left deep scars and a legacy of impunity for grave human rights violations. Without accountability, the risk of further atrocities remains high.