Justice in Syria: The law also applies within our own ranks

The new rulers in Syria have promised justice and justice. Earlier this week, internal security forces announced three arrests: former air force general Zakaria Mohammad Sannoun for attacks on civilians; former senior commander Ahmad Mohammad Ismail and former intelligence officer Suleiman Ahmad Hassan. The state news agency published photos of them in prison clothing.

Another case shows how processing and transitional justice work in the new Syria. No one is above the law - not even members of the government. The court proceedings over the massacres against civilians on Syria's west coast are intended to show this. In the dock before the military court in Aleppo were not only supporters of the overthrown Assad regime, but also members of the new authorities. Syria's government even broadcast the trials live on television. Last Thursday the verdicts were handed down against four of the perpetrators: death penalty, life imprisonment and 20 years imprisonment, acquittal.

The massacres of civilians on Syria's west coast in March 2025 are among the bloodiest events since the overthrow of former Bashar al-Assad. At that time, groups allied with Assad attacked and killed security forces of the new government. Damascus then sent around 200,000 fighters into the area, and there was fierce fighting.

During systematic house searches, members of the armed forces reportedly asked: “Are you an Alawite?” – i.e. part of the religious community to which Assad also belongs. Over 1,400 people were killed.

Seven Assad supporters and seven members of the current government troops and security agencies, including the defense and interior ministries, are now indicted. They are said to have killed civilians, destroyed property and looted.

Of the four verdicts, only one concerns a member of the new authorities. Basel Marai al-Hassan, an employee of the Ministry of Defense, has to go to prison for 20 years for premeditated murder. During the trial he had disputed video evidence showing him killing a civilian.

Hadi Qablan, a supporter of the Assad regime, received the death sentence for inciting civil war and membership in an armed gang. Tahani Ahmad Shafiq, also an Assad supporter, received life imprisonment. According to the court, he was part of an armed gang whose aim was to loot and kill. He had confessed to stealing military vehicles and selling them on.

Hassan Halibia was in the dock on charges of inciting civil war and attacking security forces. The court acquitted him due to lack of evidence. He is released from custody.

The court would like to make further judgments next Thursday. Ten other people are charged.

The fighting on the coast was followed by significant international criticism. The interim government announced at the time that it would deal with the massacres transparently. And then set up the independent National Commission of Inquiry. According to this, at least 1,426 people were killed, including 238 members of the security forces.

But there were many more perpetrators than the 14 defendants so far. The commission counted 298 perpetrators of attacks on Alawite civilians and 265 who attacked government troops. According to the commission, the atrocities against civilians were “isolated incidents rather than organized acts.”

According to a United Nations investigation, however, violence by pro-government groups against civilians was “widespread and systematic.” Houses were stormed and people were questioned about their religion. “Alawite men and boys were taken away to be executed,” the report said. The human rights organization Human Rights Watch also comes to the same conclusion.

The procedures are important for accountability and transitional justice. However, observers such as the Syrian human rights organization My Rights Mena have serious concerns about whether international standards for fair trials are being met. They say accountability should not be selective. In addition, victims and their families must be included and compensation is needed for them.