Fact Sheet: “Sectarian hate: the Coastal Massacres of March 2025”

April 30, 2025

In March 2025, a wave of sectarian violence struck Syria’s coastal region, targeting the Alawite community. Carried out by HTS and Turkey-backed factions (Hemshat and Hemzat), the attacks featured racist slogans and calls for “purification”. At least 1,614 civilians were killed, tens Alawite villages were burned, and tens of thousands were displaced. Tens of women were abducted, raising big concerns about their fate. Aid efforts were blocked, and survivors were left without support.