Amnesty International urges Syria president to publish complete investigation on killings of Alawite civilians

Amnesty International urges Syria president to publish complete investigation on killings of Alawite civilians
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Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa has been urged by Amnesty International to publish the full findings of a fact-finding committee investigating the targeted killings of Alawite civilians, Jurist News reported.

The committee was established on March 9 following mass killings in Syria’s coastal areas, after armed groups loyal to the former Bashar al-Assad government reportedly attacked security sites in Latakia and Tartous. Government forces swiftly regained control, but in the aftermath, extremist Sunni militias reportedly carried out reprisal attacks against Alawite civilians. Over 100 civilians were killed in Banias on March 8-9, with approximately 1,500 deaths across 40 sites by June, although several reports put the death toll much higher.

Amnesty International’s deputy regional director Kirstine Beckerle stressed the importance of transparency, justice, and reparations for victims’ families. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also expressed concern over escalating violence. Under international law, including the Geneva Conventions, attacks on civilians as reprisals are prohibited, and commanders may be held accountable if they fail to prevent such crimes. The investigation aims to ensure accountability and uphold human rights in Syria.

It should be mentioned that a recent investigative report by Reuters has pointed to the alleged involvement of Syria’s General Security Directorate and senior Defense Ministry figures in the recent mass killings.