Syria is once again at a critical juncture as violence engulfs the country, with the latest wave of violence erupting on March 6, 2025. The recent violence has left over 1,000 dead, making it one of the deadliest outbreaks of sectarian strife in years. The clashes, centered in Latakia and other coastal regions, pit Assad loyalists against the Islamist-led interim government. Among those killed, the majority were civilians. While interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has called for “civil peace” and national unity, his actions—or lack thereof—have led many to question his role in the unfolding crisis.

Sharaa urged Syrians to resist sectarian division. “We have to preserve national unity and domestic peace; we can live together,” he said in a public address. He announced the formation of an independent investigative committee, which will “investigate the violations against civilians and identify those responsible for them.”

Despite Sharaa’s assurances, reports from the ground paint a grim picture. Mass executions, targeting of minority communities, and retaliatory attacks have been documented, prompting the international community to react. The United Nations condemned the violence, urging an immediate cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “The United States condemns the radical Islamist terrorists, including foreign jihadis, that murdered people in western Syria in recent days. The United States stands with Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities[…], and offers its condolences to the victims and their families,” adding, “Syria’s interim authorities must hold the perpetrators of these massacres against Syria’s minority communities accountable.”

France expressed its concern over the recent violence in Syria, and Paris “condemns in the strongest possible terms atrocities committed against civilians on the basis of religious grounds and against prisoners.” The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a high civilian death toll, with the majority of victims executed at close range. In addition to civilians, casualties included members of government security forces and militants linked to Assad-affiliated groups. It has been updated that 745 Alawite civilians were killed over the past three days. The report also mentioned that large sections of Latakia have been left without electricity and clean drinking water.

The roots of this latest crisis run deep. Syria’s civil war, which erupted in 2011, devastated the country and saw over half a million deaths. Following Bashar al-Assad’s removal in December 2024, an interim government has been trying to gain legitimacy amidst political and sectarian divides. Meanwhile, Assad loyalists have remained active, seeking to regain control of key territories. The Alawite minority, long associated with Assad’s rule, has been particularly vulnerable in this wave of violence, as reports reveal targeted massacres against them. Testimonies and videos released online indicate that militants deliberately checked IDs and executed some individuals based on their sectarian identity, raising alarms about systematic ethnic cleansing efforts. Reports also confirm that unarmed civilians were attacked and brutally murdered. Labeling them “Assad Loyalists” may be an attempt to justify such violence, and it does not change the fact that many of those killed were innocent people caught in the crossfire.

Despite his public statements, President Sharaa’s handling of the situation has raised suspicions. He describes the armed groups who committed this massacre as “undisciplined” and urges them to “lay down your weapons and surrender before it’s too late.” His slow response, along with the high civilian death toll, has led many to doubt his commitment to reconciliation. Additionally, his past association with Assad’s government has led people to suspect that his actions are not entirely in good faith.

Syria’s future remains uncertain, and if the violence continues, the country risks another prolonged cycle of bloodshed, further destabilizing the region. Criticizing the Assad regime while replicating its brutal tactics only reinforces the cycle of violence and oppression. While diplomatic efforts are necessary, they mean little without accountability for war crimes and a sincere commitment to bridging the sectarian divide. The indiscriminate killing of civilians cannot be dismissed, nor should Sharaa’s vague assurances be accepted without scrutiny. Syria and its people deserve peace. It remains to be seen whether Syria’s interim leadership is sincerely working toward peace or will perpetuate the old patterns of violence and power struggles.