At a time when the hopes of Syrians for a safe future marked by peace and justice have grown, the Syrian coastal areas have witnessed tragic events. These began with a coordinated attack carried out by remnants of the former regime against the General Security Forces, leading to the deaths of many security personnel. Reports continue to emerge of mass graves, bodies being burned and mutilated by the criminal remnants. The battles escalated on the first day, accompanied by inflammatory sectarian rhetoric, prompting factions and volunteers to rally in support of the authorities in their confrontations. This ultimately resulted in horrific massacres against civilians, violating their humanity, looting their properties, and destroying their homes in acts of revenge that did not distinguish between the remnants of the former regime, armed fighters, and unarmed civilians—including soldiers who had surrendered their weapons and should have been treated as prisoners of war and handed over to the judiciary instead of being summarily executed.

The Syrian Women’s Political Movement condemns the criminal forces represented by the remnants of the regime, who continue to sacrifice a component of the Syrian people for their interests and those of the foreign powers backing them. At the same time, we strongly denounce the violations and crimes committed in the Syrian coastal areas and emphasize the following points:

• For a new Syria to rise and regain its strength, there must be a clear break with all the criminal legacy, methods, and practices of Assad’s regime, which have left deep wounds in the memories of Syrians. These wounds have been reopened in recent days through testimonies of identity-based killings, humiliation, oppression, and terrorization. Preventing their recurrence and holding perpetrators accountable is the responsibility of the state. Allowing uncontrolled armed groups to act on revenge motives is incompatible with state-building efforts and obstructs all attempts to strengthen civil peace.
• The elimination of the regime’s remnants cannot be limited to military confrontations alone. It requires serious steps to build trust with all Syrian communities, particularly the Alawite community, which the remnants of the regime attempt to use as a hostage in their battles. This will only be achieved by considering the concept of national reconciliation as a genuine process that begins with an inclusive national dialogue and the implementation of transitional justice mechanisms at all stages—from truth-seeking to accountability and reconciliation.
• Building a new Syrian state at this critical juncture, amid internal challenges and external threats, cannot happen without ending the militarization of the public sphere and dismantling structures that fuel sectarian and political polarization. Strengthening trust among different components of Syrian society requires an approach that prioritizes justice and broad social participation, steering clear of exclusionary or retaliatory policies.
• Establishing strong foreign relations cannot be achieved without first fostering internal societal cohesion and building trust between the authorities and all components of the Syrian people. Legitimacy is not granted externally; it comes from within, from the people’s approval in all their diversity, by listening to their demands and ensuring their dignity, security, and right to a decent life.

Based on the above, we demand the following:

1- An immediate halt to all violations against civilians and the issuance of clear orders for the withdrawal of all non-state factions and volunteers not affiliated with the military or General Security Forces back to their respective areas.

2- A public disclosure of the findings of the investigation committee appointed by President Ahmad Al-Shar’a, through official channels, for Syrians to be informed of the results.

3- The adoption of a comprehensive national policy for building a state of citizenship, which can only be achieved through inclusivity, respect for pluralism, and the guarantee of rights for all Syrians without exclusion.

This statement coincides with International Women’s Day, an occasion on which we reaffirm that Syrian women have been essential partners in the struggle for peace, carrying the responsibility of protecting Syrian society and defending civil peace. On that basis,  Syrian women’s right to participate in shaping the country’s future is not just a demand but a necessity for building a new Syria based on justice, equality, and sustainable peace.

Mercy to the souls of the civilian victims in the Syrian coast, and disgrace upon the criminals who shed the blood of the innocent.
Mercy to the martyrs of the General Security Forces and the army, and our deepest condolences to their families.
Shame and disgrace to the remnants of the defunct Assad regime.

The General Secretariat of the Syrian Women’s Political Movement
Sunday, March 9, 2025