Syria identifies nearly 300 suspects in Alawite heartland killings

Syria identifies nearly 300 suspects in Alawite heartland killings
———————————–
A Syrian committee investigating sectarian violence in the country’s Alawite heartland has identified 298 suspects involved in serious violations that resulted in at least 1,426 Alawite deaths in early March, Arab News reported. The violence occurred over three days on Syria’s predominantly Alawite coast, where government forces and allied groups allegedly carried out summary executions targeting mostly Alawite civilians.

Spokesman Yasser Al-Farhan said the committee documented serious crimes including murder, premeditated murder, looting, destruction and burning of homes, torture, and sectarian insults. The names of 1,426 dead were confirmed, including 90 women, with most victims being Alawite civilians. Two lists of suspects have been referred to the judiciary.

Authorities accused gunmen loyal to former president Bashar Assad, an Alawite, of instigating the violence, which also killed dozens of security personnel. The committee reported 238 army and security force deaths in the provinces of Tartus, Latakia, and Hama. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 1,700 deaths, mostly Alawite civilians.

Human rights groups say entire families, including women, children, and the elderly, were killed. Gunmen reportedly asked residents if they were Alawite or Sunni before deciding whether to kill them.

Amnesty International has called on Syria to publish the full investigation and hold those responsible accountable. The violence raises concerns about the government’s ability to manage sectarian tensions following the Islamist overthrow of Assad seven months ago.