Amnesty International Labels Syrian Coastal Massacres as War Crimes
Agnès Callamard called for independent and effective investigations into these unlawful killings and other war crimes, underscoring that justice must not be denied.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Amnesty International has classified last month’s sectarian massacres targeting Alawite civilians in Syria’s coastal region as “war crimes”, urging the Syrian government to ensure accountability for the perpetrators.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the organization emphasized that the wave of mass killings must be investigated as “war crimes”, holding those responsible to account. It also stressed the need for truth, justice, and compensation as essential measures to “break the cycle of atrocities.”
UN: Victims Executed Based on Sectarian Identity
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights detailed the harrowing nature of the attacks, reporting that armed groups raided homes and “questioned residents about whether they were Alawites or Sunnis before executing or sparing them accordingly.” In several cases, men were killed in front of their families.
Amnesty’s Secretary-General, Agnès Callamard, denounced the massacres, stating:
“Once again, Syrian civilians are paying the highest price as warring factions settle their scores.”
She further called for independent and effective investigations into these unlawful killings and other war crimes, underscoring that justice must not be denied.
Reports Indicate Government-Linked Militias Were Behind the Killings
According to Amnesty International, available evidence suggests that militias affiliated with the Syrian government deliberately targeted Alawite civilians in acts of brutal retaliation. The organization reported that individuals were “executed in cold blood” while security forces failed to intervene to halt the violence.
“For two days, authorities did not step in to stop the killings,” Callamard said, pointing to a “systematic failure to protect civilians.”
Over 1,100 Civilians Killed in Coastal Massacres
The wave of violence between March 6-10 resulted in the deaths of at least 1,169 civilians, according to the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression.
The figures reported by the center include:
732 killed in Latakia
276 in Tartous
161 in Hama
Among the victims were 103 women, 52 children, and 218 public security personnel.
This bloodshed coincided with military operations launched by the newly formed Syrian government, which claimed to be suppressing a "mutiny" by remnants of the deposed Assad regime.
The massacres underscore the ongoing dangers faced by civilians in Syria, as sectarian divisions continue to be exploited in cycles of revenge-driven violence. Amnesty International has called on Damascus to take immediate action to prevent future atrocities and to ensure no group is targeted on sectarian grounds.
