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France Proposes Sanctions on Those Responsible for Atrocities in Syria’s Coast
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Despite French efforts and the local commission investigating the atrocities in Syria’s coastal regions, the situation there continues to experience military escalation, which may complicate the chanc
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that France has proposed imposing sanctions on those responsible for the atrocities committed against civilians in the Alawite coast of Syria.
Barrot wrote on his X platform account, "At France’s initiative, we adopted European sanctions against ISIS Khorasan and its propaganda arm." He also added, "We have proposed sanctions against those responsible for the atrocities committed against civilians in Syria’s Alawite coast."
Violent clashes broke out on March 6 between Syrian security forces and armed groups in the Latakia and Tartus regions. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, attacks by local armed groups on security force positions and Ministry of Defense formations led to widespread military escalation, resulting in the deaths of 1,476 civilians by Thursday, March 13, the majority of whom were from the Alawite sect.
In response, an independent national commission was formed to investigate the events in Syria’s coastal region, following a decision by the "Interim Syrian Transitional President" Ahmad al-Shara.
The commission consists of five judges, a criminal security major, and a human rights lawyer. It is tasked with investigating the causes and circumstances that led to these events, as well as probing the violations committed against civilians and identifying those responsible.
The commission’s duties also include investigating assaults on public institutions, security personnel, and the military, and referring those involved in crimes and violations to the judiciary.
