Syria’s al-Sharaa vows to punish forces responsible for mass killings

Syrian interim President Ahmad Shala recently stated that he would severely punish the perpetrators of the massacres in the country's coastal region, even if they are his close associates. The violence resulted in hundreds of deaths, including members of the Alawite minority and security forces ambushed by supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad. This commitment underscores the interim government's dedication to justice and accountability.

It is alleged that after the security forces were ambushed, they carried out "revenge" operations against the attackers. President Shala emphasized in an interview with Reuters on Monday: "We are fighting to defend the oppressed and will not tolerate any innocent bloodshed. No one can escape justice, not even those closest to me." This statement reinforces the government's stance against impunity and its commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.

President Shala added: "Many forces entered the Syrian coastal region, and many human rights violations occurred, which provided an opportunity for revenge." He blamed supporters of the former regime for the violence that erupted on Thursday and accused them of receiving support from foreign powers. However, he also acknowledged that government forces had taken retaliatory actions. Addressing these issues is crucial for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that nearly 1,500 people were killed between Thursday and Saturday, including 830 civilians. The organization said that security forces and their allies killed most of the civilians in the Alawite-populated areas of the Syrian coast. Al Jazeera has not been able to verify the report. President Shala noted that 200 members of the security forces were killed, but he did not release the overall death toll, stating that he would await the findings of an independent commission. The need for impartial investigation is critical to establish the truth and hold those responsible accountable.

President Shala emphasized: "Syria is a country governed by the rule of law, and the law will be applied equally to everyone." He stated that an independent commission, including Alawite members, was established on Sunday to investigate the massacre within 30 days and identify the perpetrators. In addition, a second committee was established "to maintain social peace and reconciliation, because an eye for an eye will only lead to more bloodshed." These initiatives are essential steps toward fostering justice and reconciliation in the aftermath of the conflict.

President Shala also stated that the army's Fourth Division, led by President Assad's brother Maher, and an allied foreign power, instigated the conflict on Thursday "to incite unrest and create community conflict." President Shala did not name the foreign power, but implied it was "those who have lost their interests in the new Syrian reality," apparently referring to President Assad's longtime ally Iran, whose embassy in Damascus remains closed. Tehran has denied involvement in the violence. Identifying and addressing the root causes of the conflict is crucial for preventing future escalations.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey have expressed strong support for President Shala in the recent conflict, while former President Assad's ally Russia has expressed deep concern, and Iran has stated that no group should be "oppressed." The U.S. government has blamed the incident on "radical Islamic terrorists, including foreign jihadists." The international community's involvement highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding the Syrian conflict.

President Shala also mentioned the southern region of Syria, where Israel claims that a demilitarized zone needs to be established and that the Syrian government needs to pay more attention. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Monday called President Shala a "jihadist terrorist of the al-Qaeda school who is committing heinous crimes against civilians." But President Shala dismissed Israel's increasingly harsh threats and Katz's remarks as "nonsense." These tensions underscore the ongoing security challenges and regional implications of the Syrian crisis.

Meanwhile, negotiations are ongoing with Russia regarding its military presence at two strategically important Mediterranean military bases, the Tartus naval base and the Khmeimim air base. President Shala said: "We do not want a rift between Syria and Russia, nor do we want Russia's presence in Syria to pose a danger or threat to any country in the world. We want to maintain these deep strategic relations." He added that relations with Moscow were so critical that "in order to create space for meetings and dialogue between us and them after the liberation, we tolerated [Russia's] bombing and did not directly target them." These strategic alliances and negotiations are crucial for shaping the future of Syria and its relationship with the international community.