UN: Syrian Factions Committed ‘Widespread and Systematic’ Attacks on Civilians in Coastal Violence

Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Center-Leaning

Why: The report presents findings from both UN and Syrian government investigations without taking a strong political stance, aiming for balanced, fact-based coverage.

UN Investigation Findings

A UN-backed commission has concluded that certain government-affiliated factions in Syria’s coastal region carried out “widespread and systematic” violence against civilians earlier this year. The violence, which began in March, followed clashes between armed groups aligned with former President Bashar al-Assad and the new government’s security forces.

The commission reported mass killings, torture, and targeted attacks against Alawite communities but found no evidence that Syria’s central government ordered the violence.

Groups Named in the Report

The UN commission identified several divisions of the new Syrian army — the 62nd Division (Sultan Suleiman Shah Brigade), the 76th Division (Hamza Division), and the 400th Division — whose members allegedly took part in the attacks. These units are made up of former Turkish-backed fighters and ex-members of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, now under the leadership of interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

The alleged crimes included extrajudicial killings, torture, and ill-treatment of civilians in Alawite-majority areas. The UN report stated these acts may amount to war crimes.

Syrian Government Response

A separate government-led investigation reached similar conclusions, finding that more than 1,400 people — most of them civilians — were killed. While confirming “serious violations,” the government report also stated there was no proof senior military leaders ordered the attacks.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani acknowledged the violations and said recommendations, including better vetting of security recruits and more representation from minority groups, would guide reforms. Legal advisor Ibrahim Olabi said accountability measures are being considered but declined to provide details.

Timeline of Violence

Pre-March: Tensions rose with harassment and violence targeting Alawite communities, including killings, abductions, and property seizures.
Early March: Pro-Assad forces attacked new government General Security positions along the coast.
Clashes & Escalation: Pro-Assad fighters reportedly overran hospitals, attacked journalists, and, in some cases, killed women and children.
Sectarian Targeting: Armed groups raided homes, questioning residents about their sect before executing Alawite men and boys.
Casualties: Victims ranged from one-year-old children to adults; some bodies were desecrated and families were barred from burials.

Abductions and Sexual Violence

The commission found credible evidence of at least six kidnappings of Alawite women before and after the March violence, with dozens more under investigation.

In two cases, victims were abducted for forced marriage.
Others were held for ransom.
One documented case involved gang rape before the victim was sold into a forced marriage.

No arrests have been reported in connection with these crimes. Syrian authorities say these cases are under criminal investigation, separate from the main violence inquiry.

Broader Context and Continuing Instability

The coastal violence adds to mounting sectarian tensions in Syria’s fragile post-Assad transition. Last month, new clashes erupted in Sweida province between government forces, Bedouin tribesmen, and members of the Druze minority. Hundreds were killed, and there were fresh allegations of executions and looting by government fighters.

Minority groups, wary of the Sunni-led government, have called for a decentralized state and a new constitution guaranteeing religious and ethnic pluralism. A recent conference in Kurdish-controlled northeastern Syria brought together representatives from multiple communities to push for these demands.