Syria forms independent commission to investigate Latakia and Tartus violence

DAMASCUS — The Syrian presidency announced on Sunday the formation of an independent national commission to investigate the recent violent incidents in the port cities of Latakia and Tartus.

Last week, the coastal governorates of Latakia and Tartus witnessed coordinated attacks by remnants of the Assad regime, marking the most intense assaults since the regime’s collapse.

The attacks targeted security patrols and checkpoints, resulting in multiple casualties.

In response, security forces and the military launched sweeping operations to pursue the attackers, leading to intense clashes.

Government officials confirmed that security and stability had been restored in coastal cities and that efforts were underway to track down the perpetrators and former regime officers hiding in rural areas and mountainous regions.

Sunday’s presidential statement said the newly formed seven-member commission would investigate the causes, circumstances, and context of the attacks, assess violations against civilians, and identify those responsible.

It will also examine attacks on public institutions, security personnel, and the military, ensuring accountability by referring those responsible to the judiciary.

The statement emphasized that all relevant government bodies must fully cooperate with the commission to facilitate its work.

The presidency has granted the committee the authority to seek assistance from any individuals necessary for the investigation and set a 30-day deadline from the issuance of the decision for the commission to submit its report.

Following the collapse of the Assad regime in December, the new Syrian authorities launched an initiative to settle the status of former regime members in the military and security forces.

The initiative was conditional on the surrender of weapons and required that individuals had not been involved in bloodshed.

While tens of thousands accepted the initiative, some armed groups comprising regime remnants — particularly in the coastal region, where high-ranking Assad officers were stationed — rejected it.

Over time, these groups fled to the mountains, creating instability in the region and launching sporadic attacks against government forces in recent weeks.

Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s rule, which had been in power since 1963.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces in ousting Assad, was declared president for a transitional period on Jan. 29. — Agencies