Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Syria Begins Trial Over Coastal Violence After Assad's Fall
Syria's new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is keeping his promise to hold people accountable for violence.
The first trial is happening for a big fight that happened in March.
Some people are accused of attacking the government, and others are accused of attacking a group called Alawites.
The trial is happening in a public court, and the charges include starting a civil war and murder.
The U.N. said both sides did bad things, and the president said the trials will continue for other bad things that happened in the past.
First trial held in Syria over coastal violence after Assad's fall
Defendants charged with fomenting civil war, murder, and looting
Trial marks President Ahmed al-Sharaa's commitment to accountability
U.N. investigators found war crimes by both sides in the violence
Trials to continue for past atrocities under Assad's rule
- Who
- Defendants from both sides of the March violence, including those who attacked the government and those who attacked Alawites
- What
- First trial over coastal violence after Assad's fall
- When
- March 2023 (violence), April 2023 (trial)
- Where
- Aleppo, Syria
- Why
- To hold people accountable for the violence and to maintain justice
Government's stance
Activists' and Alawites' stance
Trial purpose
Government's stance
To hold those responsible accountable and maintain justice
Activists' and Alawites' stance
The process is not independent and amounts to a sham
- Number of deaths in March violence
- Nearly 1,500 Alawites and 200 security forces
- Charges against defendants
- Fomenting civil war, secession, premeditated murder, looting
- Number of people charged
- Around 565
- President's commitment
- Accountability and unity in Syria
- U.N. findings
- War crimes by both sides