The Syrian transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, stated that the Syrian state will not tolerate remnants of the previous regime who committed crimes against the army and state institutions, attacked hospitals, killed innocent civilians, and spread chaos in safe regions. He emphasized that these individuals have only one option left: to hand themselves over to the law immediately.

In his video address today, Sunday, March 9, al-Sharaa also stressed the need for strict accountability without leniency for anyone involved in the bloodshed of civilians, who abused the powers of the state, or exploited authority for personal gain.

“There will be no one above the law; anyone whose hands are tainted with Syrian blood will face justice sooner or later,” the Syrian president added.

He stated that the Syrian state criminalizes any calls or appeals seeking intervention in Syria’s affairs or promoting sedition or division within Syria, asserting that there is no place among us for such calls. “Syria, with all its components, will remain united by the determination of its people and the strength of its army. We will not allow any party to tamper with our national unity or disrupt public peace.”

He also mentioned the formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate the events in the coastal region and bring the perpetrators to justice, revealing the truths to the Syrian people so that everyone knows who is responsible for these seditions and plots.

The Syrian president also announced the establishment of a high committee to maintain public peace, which will be tasked by the presidency to communicate directly with the residents of the Syrian coast to listen to them and provide necessary support to ensure their security and stability and to strengthen national unity during this sensitive phase.

Al-Sharaa called on countries in the region and the world to stand by Syria at this moment and to affirm their full respect for its unity and sovereignty, stressing that “Syria will remain resilient, and we will not allow any external forces or local parties to drag it into chaos or civil war. We are committed to moving forward towards a future that befits our great people.”

A few hours prior, al-Sharaa issued a decision to form an independent national committee to investigate and ascertain the facts regarding the recent events in the Syrian coast that occurred last Thursday.

The committee includes judges Hanadi Abu Arab, Jumaa al-Dubais al-Anzi, Khalid Adwan al-Halou, Ali al-Nasan, and Alaa al-Din Youssef Latif, as well as Brigadier General Awad Ahmed al-Ali, and lawyer Yasser al-Farhan.

The committee is assigned with the tasks of uncovering the reasons, circumstances, and conditions that led to these events, investigating the violations suffered by civilians, identifying those responsible, and investigating attacks on public institutions and security personnel and the army to determine accountability.

It will also refer anyone proven to be involved in committing crimes and violations to the judiciary.