Initial Report of the World Diplomacy Organization on the Situation in the Syrian Coast: Latakia and Tartus

Initial Report of the World Diplomacy Organization on the Situation in the Syrian Coast: Latakia and Tartus

Date: March 18, 2025
Prepared by: World Diplomacy Organization (WDO)
Subject: Preliminary Findings and Actions Regarding Humanitarian Crisis and Human Rights Violations

Executive Summary

The World Diplomacy Organization (WDO) has initiated an urgent investigation into the escalating humanitarian crisis and severe human rights violations occurring in the coastal regions of Latakia and Tartus, Syria, following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. Preliminary evidence indicates widespread violence, including mass killings, summary executions, and sectarian targeting, particularly against the Alawite community, with casualty estimates exceeding 1,000 civilians since early March 2025. In response, the WDO is actively collecting information and data to present comprehensive findings to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC). Furthermore, the WDO has activated its special status to expedite international attention and action on this crisis.

Current Situation

Since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024, and the subsequent takeover of Latakia and Tartus by opposition forces, the Syrian coast has descended into chaos, with significant violence erupting in March 2025. Reports from credible sources, including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations, document a surge in sectarian clashes, revenge killings, and massacres. The SOHR reported 71 deaths on March 6, 2025, escalating to 830 civilian deaths by March 8, predominantly Alawites, in what has been described as the worst violence since Assad’s fall (BBC, March 6, 2025). The UN Human Rights Office confirmed 111 civilian deaths by March 10, with indications of a much higher toll (OHCHR, March 10, 2025).

The violence includes documented atrocities such as the massacre in al-Sanobar village, where security forces and affiliated groups executed civilians, looted homes, and burned bodies (The Guardian, March 7, 2025; CNN, March 17, 2025). These acts have displaced thousands, disrupted access to basic services, and heightened the humanitarian crisis in the region.

WDO Actions and Objectives

The WDO has undertaken the following steps to address the situation:

1. Data Collection and Documentation: The WDO is actively gathering evidence, including witness testimonies, photographic and video evidence, and reports from local and international organizations, to build a robust case file. This includes collaboration with SNHR, which documented at least 396 field executions (SNHR), and Amnesty International, reporting 973 civilian deaths by March 10, 2025 (Amnesty International, March 10, 2025).
2. Presentation to International Bodies: The WDO is compiling this information for submission to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate potential war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide under the Rome Statute, and to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) to urge immediate protective measures and accountability mechanisms.
3. Activation of Special Status: Recognizing the severity and urgency of the crisis, the WDO has activated its special status, a mechanism reserved for situations of extreme humanitarian concern. This status enables the organization to mobilize resources, coordinate with global partners, and expedite advocacy efforts to ensure swift international intervention.

Preliminary Findings

• Scale of Violence: Casualty estimates range from hundreds to over 1,000 civilian deaths, with specific incidents including 830 killed in massacres on March 7-8 (SOHR) and 973 by March 10 (Amnesty International).
• Nature of Violations: Evidence points to summary executions, sectarian targeting of Alawites, and destruction of civilian infrastructure, with intent suggested by calls for “ethnic cleansing” (CNN, March 17, 2025).
• Humanitarian Impact: Thousands are displaced, with curfews and restricted aid worsening access to food, water, and healthcare, compounding the crisis for 16.7 million Syrians in need nationwide (Syria situation | Global Focus).

Legal Implications

The documented acts violate international humanitarian law, including:

• Geneva Conventions: Prohibiting violence against civilians (Common Article 3).
• Genocide Convention: Potential intent to destroy the Alawite community in part or whole (Article II).
• Rome Statute: Acts qualifying as war crimes (Article 8) and crimes against humanity (Article 7), necessitating ICC scrutiny.

Next Steps

• Enhanced Monitoring: Deploy field teams, where safe, to collect real-time data and support local documentation efforts.
• International Advocacy: Present initial findings to the ICC and HRC in April 2025, seeking formal investigations and protective mandates.
• Humanitarian Coordination: Work with UN agencies and NGOs to ensure aid reaches affected populations in Latakia and Tartus.
• Public Reporting: Release a comprehensive report following further investigation to maintain pressure for accountability.

Conclusion

The World Diplomacy Organization’s initial findings underscore the gravity of the situation in Latakia and Tartus, where violence and violations threaten both human lives and Syria’s stability. By collecting evidence for the ICC and HRC, and activating our special status, we aim to catalyze global action to halt these atrocities, protect civilians, and ensure justice. The WDO calls on all stakeholders to support these efforts and stands committed to the Syrian people’s right to peace and dignity.

Key Citations

• Western Syria clashes (December 2024–present)
• Worst violence in Syria since Assad fall
• Syria: distressing scale of violence
• Death toll rises in Syrian coast
• Syria massacre targets Alawite minority
• SNHR on executions
• Amnesty on northwest coast killings
• Syria situation | Global Focus