A Syrian government-appointed fact-finding committee has revealed that 1,426 people, including 90 women, were killed in a wave of violence that swept across Syria's coastal region between March 6 and 9 this year. This report, released on July 22, marks one of the most significant accounts of mass killings since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

According to the committee, the violence erupted when remnants of pro-Assad forces launched surprise attacks on government security installations, resulting in the deaths of 238 security personnel. In retaliation, an estimated 200,000 armed fighters mobilized from across the country and carried out a series of brutal assaults in Alawite-majority areas along the coast.

The report emphasized that these retaliatory acts were not centrally coordinated and soon spiraled into indiscriminate killings, looting, and targeted violence based on sectarian identity. The committee’s investigation concluded that while many perpetrators of violence acted autonomously, there was no evidence to suggest that military commanders issued orders to attack civilians. On the contrary, directives had been given to prevent such violations.

The committee identified 298 suspects connected to the massacres and an additional 265 linked to the initial attacks on security forces. Judicial proceedings have commenced, and 31 people have been arrested, including six believed to be affiliated with the former regime. All 31 are under investigation for direct involvement in attacks on civilians.

This announcement follows a separate Reuters investigation published in June, which detailed a complex network of rebel factions, Islamist groups, and rogue Sunni militias allegedly responsible for the March atrocities. The probe named specific units, such as Unit 400 and the Othman Brigade, and suggested that the chain of command behind the violence extended to the highest levels of the transitional government.

Meanwhile, the city of Sweida in southern Syria witnessed renewed bloodshed earlier this month. Clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin groups erupted on July 12, resulting in more than 300 deaths. Eyewitnesses reported incidents of looting, executions, and military involvement in targeting civilian areas. Among the dead was Hosam Saraya, a Syrian-American Druze, along with seven members of his family, allegedly killed by gunmen wearing military uniforms.

These incidents prompted Syria’s Defence and Interior Ministries to launch separate investigations. Authorities stated they were aware of the reports of serious violations and confirmed that accountability measures were in place, regardless of whether military personnel were involved. A ceasefire, mediated by regional actors including Turkey and Jordan, has since taken effect and is currently holding.

Human rights groups have urged the Syrian government to ensure full transparency and justice for the victims. Amnesty International stressed that failure to deliver accountability could damage the fragile trust rebuilding process and fuel further cycles of violence.

The post-Assad government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, now faces mounting domestic and international pressure to address sectarian tensions, hold perpetrators accountable, and rebuild state institutions with a focus on human rights and minority protection. As Syria continues its journey through a turbulent transition, the findings of this report serve as a sobering reminder of the challenges ahead.