National Committee for Investigation and Fact-Finding: 938 testimonies were collected, 238 security and army personnel, 1,426 mostly civilians were killed

Damascus SANA- The National Committee for Investigation and Fact-Finding in coastal region events announced Tuesday it had collected 938 testimonies and recoded the killing of 238 security and army personnel by regime remnants and verified the names of 1,426 dead mostly civilians, including 90 women who were killed outside or after the end of the military battles.

Spokesperson for the Committee, Yasser Al-Farhan, said during a press conference held with the head of the committee Judge Juma’a al-Anzi at Seven Gates Hotel in Damascus:

The spokesperson: The committee visited 33 locations, inspected the incident sites, and examined the various cemeteries and burial sites. It also described its observations in the presence of mayors, clergy, and several family representatives.

The spokesperson: On the ground, the committee met with dozens of figures in each locality and heard from family members in separate sessions.

The spokesperson: The committee collected 938 testimonies, including 452 related to murders and 486 related to armed robbery, theft, burning of homes and businesses, or torture.

The spokesperson: Seven specialized female legal assistants belonging to the affected Alawite community were engaged with the committee in its work of taking testimonies. In addition, three women from the families of the victims in Rusafa participated in the committee’s hearings.

The spokesperson: The committee also heard 23 briefings and statements from officials in official bodies, interrogated detained suspects, and took the necessary measures to refer them to the judiciary.

The spokesperson: The committee held focused consultations with relevant international bodies at the United Nations through high-level meetings with the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, the chair and members and team of the International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Office of the Special Envoy for Syria, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International. In its meetings and correspondence, the committee discussed mechanisms for adopting the best possible methods, standards, and procedures for investigation.

The spokesperson: On March 6, the remnant groups (of Assad regime) carried out a series of large-scale hostile operations, targeting army and public security headquarters, checkpoints, and patrols with heavy, medium, and light weapons. They blocked main roads and, according to the committee’s findings, killed 238 young security and army personnel in the provinces of Latakia, Tartous, and Hama.

The Spokesperson: Some were killed after laying down their weapons as a result of negotiations mediated by notables. Some were killed after being wounded and receiving treatment. Some were killed while captive. The remnants buried some in a mass grave. They targeted public roads and hospitals, putting six of them out of service. They also killed a number of Sunni civilians, according to information received by the committee, whose data it was unable to record according to its standards

The spokesperson: The committee verified the names of 1,426 dead, including 90 women mostly civilians, and some of whom were former soldiers who had made settlements with the competent authorities. Although it was not ruled out that there were a number of remnants among the dead, the committee believes that most of the killings occurred outside or after the end of the military battles.

The spokesperson: The committee has identified 265 potential suspects who are members of outlawed rebel groups linked to the Assad regime, commonly referred to as “remnants,” and whom the Commission has reasonable grounds to suspect of involvement in serious crimes and violations.

Spokesperson: By examining digital evidence and with significant assistance from the Ministry of Defense, the commission identified individuals and groups linked to certain military groups and factions from among the participating forces. The commission believes that these individuals and groups violated military orders and are suspected of committing violations against civilians.

 Spokesperson: The commission noted in its investigations that the series of measures, instructions, and orders issued by the President of the Republic and the Ministers of Defense and Interior—before, during, and after the events of March 2025—focused on protecting civilians and adhering to the law. It also noted that government forces displayed a high degree of discipline, that the state made intensive efforts to curb violations, and that accused individuals were brought to justice.

Chairman of Independent National Committee Judge Juma’a al-Anzi:

Judge Al-Anzi: The committee completed its report within specified deadline and submitted it to the Republic President.

Judge Al-Anzi: The events taking place in the southern region were the reason for the delay in announcing the submission.

Judge Al-Anzi: In the performance of its duties, the Committee carried out general monitoring, investigation, and inquiry into the attacks and violations committed within its territorial jurisdiction in the governorates of Latakia, Tartus, and Hama.

Judge Al-Anzi: The Committee temporarily examined the events of March and subsequent events and objectively investigated the circumstances leading to them. It also investigated violations against civilians and attacks on government institutions, security personnel, and military personnel, identifying those responsible for each and bringing those involved to justice.

Judge Al-Anzi: The committee communicated transparently with the Syrian public, both directly and through the media, and held numerous fruitful meetings with various civil society actors, representatives of professional unions, and leading figures, personalities, and dignitaries.

Judge Al-Anzi: The committee recommends to accelerate the implementation of Defense Ministry’s plan, procedures, and measures for weapons control, effectively integrating factions, strictly implementing the Code of Conduct issued by the Ministry on May 30, 2025, other regulations, rules, and instructions.

Judge Al-Anzi: The committee recommends launching legally mandated reparations programs for victims, prioritizing projects to improve the governance of security, police, and military institutions, strengthening methods and standards for respecting human rights, and establishing an independent national human rights commission.

Judge Al-Anzi: The committee recommends that dialogue and civil peace be given priority in the state’s plans and programs on the coast and in all Syrian regions, and that legislative, executive, and educational measures be taken to prevent incitement to violence, or sectarian strife, and to ensure that this is monitored in the media and on social media.