Over 1,383 Alawites Killed in Syria's Coastal Violence Amid Assad Loyalist Attacks

A surge of violence in Syria's coastal regions, heavily populated by the Alawite minority, has resulted in over 1,383 civilian deaths, including entire families. The violence, which began on March 6, 2025, followed attacks by Assad loyalists on security forces, with at least 172 security personnel killed. The violence escalated into sectarian killings, with reports of summary executions, forced displacements, and attacks on predominantly Alawite villages in Latakia and Tartus provinces. Human rights organizations, including the UN and Human Rights Watch, have called for accountability and justice for the victims. Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has formed a fact-finding committee to investigate the violence, with a 30-day timeline to present findings, and pledged to prosecute those responsible. However, concerns persist about the government's ability to control armed factions and prevent further sectarian reprisals.