After four days of intense clashes and rising tensions, Syria's defence ministry declared on 10 March an end to military operations against remnants of the former regime in the coastal region. Although brief, this recent escalation—triggered by coordinated attacks that killed more than 13 security personnel in Latakia—marks the most significant security challenge Syria’s new authorities have faced so far.
But while crushing the military rebellion may have been the easier part, the real challenge lies in addressing the human rights violations committed by some forces during the operation and preventing their potential ripple effects.
Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has responded promisingly so far. He acknowledged the violations and established a committee to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable. However, what happens next will determine the credibility of these efforts—whether they effectively address this first major episode of violence in Syria’s transitional period or risk pushing the country back toward instability.
Independent Syrian human rights organisations are documenting the recent violations, and their findings will be crucial in assessing whether the committee accurately reports the scale of abuses and ensures accountability for all perpetrators. Therefore, the committee’s investigation must be thorough, transparent, and just—not only to reassure the Syrian public but also to establish the credibility of al-Sharaa’s administration on the international stage.
The Jableh ambush
On 6 March, gunmen loyal to the former Assad regime launched coordinated attacks on military checkpoints and security headquarters near Jableh in Latakia’s countryside, as well as other parts of the coastal region. At least 13 security personnel were killed, while the assailants seized urban centres, took over military and security installations, and besieged security forces in their barracks. At the same time, former Assad commanders announced the formation of the "Coastal Shield Regiment" to resist the new government.
Read more: Jableh ambush risks igniting larger Türkiye-Iran confrontation
In response, the Syrian caretaker government called for reinforcements, prompting thousands of fighters from across the country to converge on the coast. Intense clashes erupted in various areas, particularly in Jableh. While the fighting was ongoing, reports revealed that some forces deviated from their primary objective of neutralising the attackers and instead carried out widespread violations.
Videos circulating on social media depict excessive force, field executions, and mass killings motivated by revenge and sectarian tensions, particularly in Latakia and Tartous. So far, the Syrian Network for Human Rights has documented the killing of at least 803 people in Latakia, Hama, Tartous, and Homs between 6 March and 10 March. The casualties included 172 government forces and 211 civilians killed by pro-Assad forces, alongside at least 420 civilians and “disarmed militants” killed by armed forces aligned with Damascus.
Different approach
In stark contrast to how the Assad regime handled similar incidents, the caretaker authorities have taken a markedly different approach. In a televised address, al-Sharaa openly acknowledged that civilians had been harmed and vowed to hold accountable anyone who abused their power—without exception or leniency.
He also announced the formation of an independent committee composed of five judges, a senior forensic officer, and a human rights lawyer to investigate the recent killings of civilians and security forces in the coastal region. The committee has been given 30 days to issue a report on its findings.
Additionally, authorities have reported the arrest of at least seven individuals suspected of involvement in attacks on civilians. In a symbolic gesture, local authorities in Latakia have also announced mourning ceremonies for all victims of the recent violence, including members of the security forces, the military, and civilians.
Defining moment
The handling of this crisis will be a defining moment for Syria’s new authorities. Establishing what happened—including the individual responsibility of those involved—during the clashes will not be easy. The multiplicity of parties, overlapping roles, and the difficulty of distinguishing groups or even individuals complicate the task. Many are not from the region, wear similar outfits, and even use masks, further obscuring identities.
An even greater challenge will be ensuring that the committee’s work is seen as credible and just—a trust that will not be easily won. Since the committee is appointed by the new authorities, who are affiliated with at least some of the potential perpetrators, it must establish its independence and credibility to prevent suspicions of bias from undermining its findings.
The committee can strengthen its legitimacy by cooperating with credible local and international human rights organisations, allowing them to oversee investigations. This collaboration would not only enhance the credibility of the committee’s work but also provide access to resources and expertise necessary to determine what happened within the tight timeframe available.
The committee could also improve inclusivity by involving respected local members from the affected areas. This would facilitate access to communities, especially victims, while also fostering confidence in the investigation’s findings and the committee’s impartiality.
Read more: Without inclusive governance, Syria could fall back into chaos
Since the violations did not appear to be confined to the coastal region, the committee must expand its geographical scope to include all areas where serious violations occurred, such as Homs and Hama. Additionally, it should point out the security and military lapses that enabled these violations to take place on such a large scale.
If additional time is needed to gather evidence accurately and comprehensively, the committee should extend its deadline beyond 30 days. Rushing the process risks overlooking critical details and compromising the integrity of the investigation.
