The UN Syria Commission of Inquiry issued a stark report on Thursday, detailing a series of violent events that ripped through coastal and western central Syria in March 2025, potentially amounting to war crimes. The commission has called for immediate accountability measures to rebuild public trust.

The documented violence targeted the Alawi communities, with harrowing accounts of murder, torture, and desecration of corpses, alongside significant internal displacement. The report highlighted disturbing footage showing civilians enduring degrading treatment at the hands of pro-former government fighters (PFGFs), members of the interim government forces, and private individuals. This footage, widely circulated on social media, has intensified the urgency for thorough investigations.

Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, Chair of the Commission, expressed deep concern over the findings: "The scale and brutality of the violence documented in our report is deeply disturbing. We call on the interim authorities to continue to pursue accountability for all perpetrators, regardless of affiliation or rank."

The attacks showed a chilling pattern of targeting individuals from the Alawite minority, with men being separated from women and children before execution. Although the interim government has made efforts to curb human rights abuses, the integration of members from other factions has seen continued mistreatment and execution within Alawi-majority villages.

The violence has overwhelmed the healthcare infrastructure, leading to approximately 1400 casualties, predominantly adult men, but also including women, the disabled, and the elderly. The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime had sparked hope for a more secure Syria, yet the recent violence underscores the persistent challenges and deep-seated fractures from the Assad era. The European Union has cautioned against the spread of misinformation that fuels bigotry against vulnerable groups.

Human rights organizations have been vocal in urging the Syrian government to initiate transparent investigations into these atrocities. They have called for the publication of all findings to ensure accountability and justice for the victims and their families.

This surge of violence not only signifies a severe security crisis but also marks a significant rebellion highlighting the unresolved tensions within the country. As Syria continues to navigate its path towards stability, the international community remains watchful, emphasizing the need for accountability and the protection of minority rights in the ongoing turmoil.