Syrian massacre: Julani announces commission of inquiry

Syrian President Ahmad "Julani" a-Sharaa announced the formation of a commission today (Sunday) to investigate the bloody clashes and reported massacres committed on the Syrian coast over the course of the weekend, according to Kann reporter Roi Kais.

According to Kais, Julani has "ordered the establishment of an independent national commission of inquiry to investigate the events on the Syrian coast since last Thursday, composed of seven members, including five judges, a senior officer, and a lawyer, whose purpose is to investigate the causes of the coastal events, the acts of violence against civilians, and finding those responsible for them, as well as the attacks on public institutions and security personnel."

According to the order establishing the commission, it is expected to submit its results within thirty days.

The US State Department released a statement earlier today demanding an investigation into the incidents:

"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, including its Christian, Druze, Alawite, and Kurdish communities, and offers its condolences to the victims and their families.  Syria’s interim authorities must hold the perpetrators of these massacres against Syria’s minority communities accountable."

The clashes began on Thursday night, when forces affiliated with the former Assad regime attacked Syrian security forces, seizing killing many of them and abducting around 40.

The Syrian regime then retaliated by sending large forces to stamp out this takeover, reportedly killing not only armed insurgents but also many Alawite women and children.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported at least 162 killed as of Saturday, with the number likely to increase as the dead continue to be counted. Many of these were killed execution-style in multiple locations and villages throughout the area.