Syria Alawite community targeted with potential war crimes, UN commission suggests
In March, violence erupted along Syria's Alawite Mediterranean coast, resulting in a humanitarian crisis of significant proportions. According to a UN commission, the violence involved summary executions, torture, murder, looting, and burning of homes, primarily targeting Alawite civilians, causing the displacement of tens of thousands[1].
The report, which documents more than 1,700 deaths, mostly Alawites, during these attacks, identifies the interim government forces and their allies as the primary perpetrators of systematic violence[1]. However, pro-Assad forces loyal to the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime were also implicated in the violence[1].
The conflict saw multiple parties involved, with the newly installed Sunni Islamist-led government forces launching operations in the region after claiming to be attacked by remnants of Assad’s forces[1]. The commission found "reasonable grounds to believe" that members of the security forces and other private individuals engaged in "serious violations of international human rights law"[1].
The nature of the violence comprises sectarian massacres, forced displacement, and potential war crimes committed by both the anti-Assad interim government forces and loyalists of the ousted regime[1]. Sectarian dimensions fueled the violence, with calls to jihad from some mosques in support of the interim government, and targeted threats against Alawite communities[1].
The UN commission found that the violence followed a systematic pattern across multiple locations[1]. The commission continues to receive information about ongoing violations in many of the affected areas, including abductions, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances[1].
The commission's chair, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, urged accountability and expanded efforts to arrest perpetrators[1]. US envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack called the report a "serious step towards definable and traceable metrics to the Syrian government's responsibility, transparency, and accountability."[1]
During Assad's rule, he cultivated an image as a defender of minorities, despite his authoritarian tendencies leading to civil war[1]. The UN commission was granted "unfettered access" to the area by the post-Assad government for its investigation[1]. The commission stated that the violations likely amount to war crimes[1].
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani took "serious note of the alleged violations," saying they "appear to be consistent with the findings" of the Syrian inquiry[1]. Human rights groups and international organisations reported that entire families, including women, children, and the elderly, were killed[1].
The UN commission is now investigating recent violence in Syria's Druze-majority Sweida province. Commission chair Paulo Sergio Pinheiro emphasised the need for accountability and justice for all victims of the ongoing conflict in Syria.
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