The escalation in serious crimes across several villages and towns in the Latakia and Tartus governorates along the Syrian coast is deeply concerning, said Euro-Med Monitor in a statement.
Armed clashes have erupted between Syrian government forces and militant groups loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, resulting in the killing and detention of hundreds of civilians. These individuals were subjected to physical and verbal abuse during their captivity, while properties and homes were indiscriminately set on fire—acts seemingly driven by vengeance.
Field reports indicate that the clashing parties carried out field executions of dozens of individuals across several areas in Latakia and Tartus, particularly in Baniyas and the villages of Al Mukhtareyah, Al Haffah, Dwaer Baabda, Beit Ana, and others. Meanwhile, Syrian government forces have carried out arbitrary arrest campaigns targeting hundreds of civilians, subjecting them to torture and ill-treatment.
Furthermore, testimonies from the ground confirm that victims included children and the elderly, revealing that the attacks indiscriminately targeted both civilians and militants alike.
Euro-Med Monitor asserts that no excuse—whether political or security—can justify these crimes. Extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, destruction of property, and spreading fear among civilians are serious violations that require a firm stance to ensure accountability, achieve justice, and prevent impunity.
Revenge is not justice; it is fuel for an endless cycle of violence that can only be broken through legal accountability, transitional justice, and reconciliation founded on truth and equality—ensuring victims’ rights and preventing future crimes.
The Syrian government must take immediate action to protect civilians, stop all violations, launch a serious and independent investigation to hold individuals and leaders accountable for the crimes, ensuring justice for the victims and those affected.
Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor is a Geneva-based independent organization with regional offices across the MENA region and Europe
