A Reuters investigation has documented the massacre of nearly 1,500 Alawite civilians in Syria's coastal region over three days in March 2025. The report identified 40 distinct sites of killings, looting, and arson targeting the Alawite minority, which has historical ties to the former Assad regime. The chain of command for these attacks was traced directly to men serving alongside Syria's new leaders in Damascus, implicating Syrian government forces and affiliated militias, including Islamist groups. At least a dozen factions under the new Syrian government's control participated in the violence, with nearly half previously sanctioned for human rights abuses. Victims included men, women, children, and the elderly. The killings reportedly continue, and the new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has promised an investigation, though no government report has been released yet. A Syrian national committee later reported 1,426 deaths and identified 298 suspects involved in serious violations during the March violence. The committee noted partial or absent state control during the events. The investigation highlights ongoing sectarian violence and the involvement of forces linked to the current regime in Damascus.