Syria’s al-Sharaa launches probe into deadly clashes, vows accountability

Syria's interim President Ahmed Shala has announced an investigation into clashes between security forces and militants loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad in the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartus. The clashes have resulted in hundreds of deaths, drawing significant international attention.

President Shala, in a national address on Sunday, stated that in light of the recent violent unrest, the government has established a fact-finding committee and a higher-level commission to comprehensively investigate the events in the coastal region. He emphasized that Syria is facing the risk of being dragged into a civil war.

President Shala stressed in his address that remnants of the former regime must surrender immediately and vowed to hold accountable anyone involved in the bloodshed of civilians. This follows an announcement by the Syrian Presidential Palace that an "independent committee" has been formed to "investigate violations against civilians, identify those responsible," and bring the perpetrators to justice.

According to the Presidential Palace statement, the committee "has the right to appoint personnel it deems appropriate to fulfill its duties and to submit a report to the President of the Republic within a maximum of thirty days from the date of this decision." Al Jazeera's Resul Serdar reported that Sunday's clashes occurred in the town of Qardaha in Latakia, the birthplace of the Assad regime and a location of significant symbolic importance.

Serdar also pointed out that Baniyas in Tartus is home to Syria's largest oil refinery, which security forces claim remnants of the former regime have repeatedly attempted to attack. Despite President Shala's earlier calls for peace, violence erupted in Baniyas. Syrian security forces reported that 230 personnel have been killed, with the majority of the deceased being civilians. President Shala emphasized that "no one is above the law, and we condemn any acts that incite conflict and divide Syria."

It has been reported that pro-Assad militants launched coordinated attacks on security forces on Thursday, triggering the conflict. The attacks quickly escalated into retaliatory killings, with thousands of armed personnel supporting Syria's new leadership heading to the coastal region to support security forces. The London-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, stated that the four-day conflict has resulted in approximately 1,000 deaths, the majority of whom were civilians. Videos circulating on social media depict the execution of civilians, but Al Jazeera has not been able to independently verify the casualty figures.

In the face of the conflict, President Shala called for "national unity" and addressed crowds at the Mezzeh Mosque in Damascus, stating, "We must maintain national unity and domestic peace. We can live together. Please rest assured about Syria; this country has the characteristics to survive... What is happening in Syria now is within the scope of expected challenges." UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for a swift investigation into the killings and for those responsible to be brought to justice. Türk stated that the Syrian authorities' declaration of respect for the law needs to be followed by action to protect the Syrian people and ensure accountability for abuses.

Syrian opposition politician and activist Labib Nahhas believes that the violence is "a major setback" for post-Assad Syria. Nahhas stated, "According to available data and intelligence, what is currently happening is a highly complex, coordinated attack incited and supported by Iran and Hezbollah." He added that Iran is seeking new influence in Syria and is exploiting the sectarian and religious tensions created by the Syrian regime over six decades. Nahhas emphasized that the new government must establish a "strong national united front" with the cornerstone being "a genuinely inclusive new transitional government, not just lip service."

Jordan hosted a regional conference on Sunday to discuss the challenges facing Syria, such as security, reconstruction, and refugees. Senior officials from Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon attended the meeting in Amman, the Jordanian capital. Al Jazeera's Nour Odeh reported from Amman that "all countries bordering Syria want the new Syrian government and the people to achieve stability and security." She added that, for example, stability in Syria means that the millions of refugees hosted by Turkey and Jordan can voluntarily return to Syria. If Syria achieves stability, the rule of law, and unity, Iraq will be more secure in its fight against ISIS (ISIL), and Jordan will be more effective in its fight against drug trafficking.

Assad's downfall in December ended his family's more than five-decade-long dynastic rule, characterized by harsh repression and a devastating war. In 2011, Syria erupted in peaceful anti-government protests, which were met with brutal suppression, leading Syria into war. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians have been killed, and millions have been forced to flee the country or have been internally displaced.