Syria’s al-Sharaa Initiates Investigation into Fatal Clashes, Promises Accountability | Syria War Updates

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has initiated an investigation following the deaths of hundreds of people in clashes between security forces and fighters loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad in the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartous.

In a national address on Sunday, after days of violent unrest, al-Sharaa announced, “We have established a fact-finding committee to investigate the events on the coast and have formed a higher committee to oversee the matter.”

The Syrian leader warned that the country is facing attempts to plunge it into civil war. In his speech, al-Sharaa stated that “remnants of the former regime” have no option but to surrender immediately, vowing to hold accountable “anyone involved in civilian bloodshed.”

Earlier, the Syrian presidency announced the formation of an “independent committee” to “investigate violations against civilians and identify those responsible,” adding that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

“The Committee has the authority to enlist whoever it deems necessary to fulfill its duties and must submit its report to the Presidency of the Republic within a maximum of thirty days from the issuance of this decision,” the presidency’s statement read.

According to Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar, the clashes on Sunday occurred in the town of Qardahah in Latakia.

“Qardahah holds immense symbolic significance as the birthplace of the al-Assad regime,” said Serdar, reporting from Damascus.

“However, one of the critical locations is Baniyas in Tartous. Baniyas is home to Syria’s largest oil refinery, and security forces report that remnants of the old regime have repeatedly attempted to attack it,” he added.

The violence in Baniyas occurred despite al-Sharaa’s call for peace earlier on Sunday.

Serdar noted that Syrian security forces have reported the loss of 230 personnel, with the majority of those killed being civilians.

Deadly Clashes

The fighting erupted after pro-Assad fighters launched coordinated attacks on security forces on Thursday. The situation escalated into revenge killings as thousands of armed supporters of Syria’s new leadership rallied to the coastal areas to back the security forces.

The clashes, which the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said have already claimed 1,000 lives—mostly civilians—entered their fourth day on Sunday. Graphic videos of civilian executions have circulated among Syrians.

Al Jazeera has been unable to independently verify the casualty figures.

Amid the violence, al-Sharaa appealed for “national unity” while addressing a crowd at a mosque in his childhood neighborhood of Mezzeh in Damascus.

“We must preserve national unity and domestic peace. We can live together,” the president said. “Rest assured about Syria; this country has the resilience to survive… What is happening now is part of the expected challenges.”

‘A Major Setback’

United Nations rights chief Volker Turk called for prompt investigations into the killings and insisted that those responsible must be held accountable. Turk emphasized that the Syrian authorities’ pledges to uphold the law must be accompanied by concrete actions to protect Syrians and ensure accountability for abuses.

Labib al-Nahhas, a Syrian opposition politician and activist, described the violence as “a major setback” for post-Assad Syria.

“What occurred is a highly sophisticated, coordinated attack, instigated and supported by Iran and Hezbollah, based on available data and intelligence,” al-Nahhas told Al Jazeera.

“Iran, seeking new leverage in Syria, is exploiting the sectarian and religious tensions that have persisted for six decades under the Syrian regime. This presents an opportunity for the new authorities to demonstrate a different approach.”

The new government must build “a strong, national, unified front,” with a cornerstone being “a truly inclusive transitional government—not just lip service,” al-Nahhas said. “It is the responsibility not only of the authorities but of all Syrian society to focus on the positives and common ground.”

Regional Stability

Meanwhile, Jordan hosted a regional conference on Sunday to discuss pressing issues in Syria, including security, reconstruction, and refugees. Top officials from Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon participated in the meeting in Amman.

“All countries sharing a border with Syria have a vested interest in ensuring stability and security for the new administration and the Syrian people,” said Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh, reporting from Amman.

“For instance, stability in Syria would enable the millions of refugees hosted by Turkey and Jordan to return voluntarily. If there is stability, rule of law, and a united Syria, Iraq can focus more effectively on the fight against ISIS. Similarly, Jordan could better address drug trafficking, which has become a crisis for the government,” she added.

The overthrow of al-Assad in December marked the end of more than five decades of dynastic rule by his family, characterized by severe repression and a devastating war that began in 2011 after peaceful protests were met with brutal crackdowns. Tens of thousands of Syrians were killed, and millions were displaced internally or forced to flee the country as Syria descended into chaos.