Report documents serious violations in Syrian coast, Hama during March

The Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) today issued a comprehensive human rights report entitled "Post-Regime, Pre-State: Violations in March 2025 in the Syrian Coast and Hama," revealing the commission of serious human rights violations, described as having a "systematic sectarian nature," that occurred during March 2025 in the regions of Latakia, Tartous, and Hama.

According to the report, these violations began with organized attacks carried out by armed groups affiliated with the transitional government in Syria, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, widespread destruction of property, and forced displacement, amid an unprecedented escalation in sectarian tensions and retaliatory violence, in the absence of accountability and transitional justice policies.

The report documented the killing of at least 1,060 civilians, along with inhumane and degrading practices targeting women and children, including beatings, sectarian insults, death threats, and the intimidation of minors by holding weapons to their heads. Several witnesses reported that the attackers inquired about the victims' sectarian affiliation before executing them.

The Center also noted the transitional government's failure to contain the situation or control the behavior of some forces and allied groups, which allowed sectarian-based violations to occur, amid administrative disintegration and the lack of genuine engagement of local communities in shaping the transitional phase.

The report suspects the involvement of "several factions in these violations, including the Suleiman Shah (Al-Amshat) Brigade, the Hamza Division, the Army of Islam, the Sultan Murad Division, as well as groups affiliated with the 400th Brigade, militants from neighboring villages, and some foreign fighters." It also noted that "a number of journalists were subjected to harassment while covering the events."

In a statement, lawyer Mazen Darwish, the center's general director, said: "Confession is not a sign of weakness, but rather the highest form of moral strength. We are not facing a sectarian conflict, but rather a battle between truth and denial, and only confession can achieve true victory."

For his part, lawyer Muhannad Sharabati, director of the center's Violations Documentation Project, emphasized that the report does not seek to provide a comprehensive account, but rather aims to support the work of the upcoming government investigation committee. He emphasized the need for cooperation between the state and civil society to build a future based on truth, accountability, and justice, and to end impunity.

It should be noted that this report comes amid growing local and international calls for a transparent investigation that places victims' rights at the heart of any political or reform process in the country.

ANHA