UN Report Ties New Syrian Army to Coastal Massacres

The Syrian coastal massacres in March marked one of the deadliest violent episodes since the downfall of the Assad regime. An August 11 report by the United Nations’ Independent International Commission of Inquiry found that Syrian government forces, pro-Assad militias, and private individuals committed war crimes against the Alawite community and Sunni Arabs in the coast. The killings left about 1,400 people dead, mostly civilians, alongside widespread looting, burning, and forced displacement.

The sectarian nature of the atrocities showed the multiple challenges facing interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in ensuring accountability and stability for a fractured nation. The report’s recommendations focused on “ensuring that all perpetrators are held accountable, regardless of their affiliation or rank, as well as intensifying efforts to ensure non-repetition, beginning the process of reparations, and regaining the trust of affected communities.”

Government-Affiliated Forces and Foreign Fighters Committed Atrocities

Days after ousting Assad, Sharaa announced, “All military factions will be integrated into a single institution under the administration of the Ministry of Defense in the New Syrian Army.” However, the rushed process left many anti-Assad militias operating independently under their former leaders.

The UN report claimed that there is “no evidence that Syria’s central government directed its forces to commit violations” and praised the Syrian “government’s efforts in several locations to prevent violence against civilians.” Still, the report stated that pro-government Islamist factions like Ahrar al-Sham, the Othman Brigade, the Muawiyah Brigade, and foreign fighters, as well as Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) militias like al-Amshat, al-Hamzat, and Sultan Murad, took part in the atrocities. Sharaa incorporated these militias into the new armed forces after the January 29 victory conference in which he announced his presidency.

The United Nations’ claim corresponds with an investigation from Reuters that confirmed that these militias took part in massacres against the Alawite community on the coast. In the aftermath of the attacks, Sharaa rewarded both al-Amshat and al-Hamzat’s commanders, Mohammad al-Jasem (Abu Amsha) and Sayf Bulad, with promotions and leadership positions in the Syrian army. In 2023, the United States sanctioned both individuals for human rights abuses against the Kurdish community.

Syria’s Fact-Finding Commission Is a Step Forward, but Not Enough

Following the massacre, Sharaa announced the formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate and issue recommendations. The committee stated that it identified 256 members of armed groups linked to the Assad regime and 298 individuals linked to the new government. Accordingly, the committee “referred to the Attorney General two lists of those suspected of involvement in the attacks or violations.”

Syria’s judicial system is still in its infancy. Damascus waited until June 2 to appoint the attorney general, Hassan bin Yousef al-Torbah. Since the report’s publication, there have been no announcements regarding what the government plans to do with the names.

The UN team noted that it had met with the Syrian state’s fact-finding committee to discuss some of the preliminary investigations and assist with the UN report’s witness interviews. However, the report stated that most witnesses interviewed “were not aware of any investigations or arrests by the local authorities of those allegedly responsible.” During the UN commission’s visit to the coast, officials indicated that “42 individuals reporting to the Ministry of Defense had so far been arrested for alleged abuses committed in March.”

U.S. Should Pressure Sharaa to Ensure All Perpetrators Are Held Accountable

Sharaa had once signaled his intention to “achiev[e] civil peace and pursu[e] criminals who shed Syrian blood and committed massacres.” Instead, he promoted individuals with blood on their hands, including Abu Amsha and Sayf Boulad.

The United States should signal to Sharaa that he cannot achieve peace and stability by rewarding rogue militia leaders. The Trump administration should press Sharaa to hold those with blood on their hands accountable and to reform the structure of the new Syrian military, starting with the removal of foreign jihadists. Washington should also sanction any military units and commanders responsible for the massacres.

Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). For more analysis from Ahmad and FDD, please subscribe HERE. Follow Ahmad on X @AhmadA_Sharawi. Follow FDD on X @FDD. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.