Syria Launches Inquiry into Civilian Killings After Unprecedented Sectarian Violence

Over 800 Alawite civilians killed in the wake of clashes between pro-Assad forces and interim government security forces, prompting international condemnation.

Interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Charaa announced the formation of an independent commission to investigate recent civilian killings and hold perpetrators accountable.
The violence, described as the deadliest since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, has claimed the lives of at least 830 Alawite civilians and 481 pro-Assad fighters, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
The clashes began after an attack by pro-Assad loyalists on security forces in Jablé, leading to widespread retaliation and targeted killings in Alawite-majority regions.
International leaders, including the United States, Germany, and the United Nations, have condemned the killings and called for urgent investigations and protection of vulnerable communities.
The interim government faces mounting pressure to address sectarian tensions and reassure minority groups of their safety in the multiethnic and multiconfessional nation.