Foundation for the Development of Western Syria Hosts Congressional Briefing Marking One-Year Anniversary of Coastal Syria Massacre

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Foundation for the Development of Western Syria (the “Foundation”) yesterday hosted a congressional briefing in the U.S. House of Representatives to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the March 2025 massacre targeting Alawite and Christian communities in coastal Syria.

The briefing brought together Members of Congress, congressional staff, and leading human rights and foreign policy experts, alongside representatives of Syria’s Alawite, Christian, Druze, and Kurdish communities, as well as prominent Jewish human rights leaders. The discussion was grounded in the scale of the March 2025 atrocities, which killed thousands of Alawite and Christian civilians, displaced tens of thousands, and targeted religious and community institutions across coastal Syria.

The primary objective of the briefing was to place documented evidence and archival records of violations against Alawites, Christians, and other minority communities directly before international decision-makers, ensuring these abuses are formally recognized and acted upon.

The Foundation-sponsored and organized-event focused on educating policymakers about the ongoing plight of minority communities, including continued reports of targeted killings, kidnappings, and trafficking of women, and on advancing a vision for a stable, inclusive, and peaceful Syria where all communities are protected. The Foundation extends its sincere gratitude to Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) for his moral clarity and leadership in sponsoring the briefing.

Speakers represented a broad cross-section of Syrian communities and international experts, providing firsthand accounts and policy analysis:

• Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA) expressed concern over the current Syrian regime under Ahmed al-Sharaa, warning that attacks on minorities have intensified following the lifting of U.S. sanctions in December. He cautioned that superficial changes in leadership must not obscure past extremist affiliations and vowed to continue advocating for the protection of all Syrian minorities.

• Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) noted that his district is home to one of the largest Syrian diaspora populations in the United States and emphasized the importance of keeping Congress informed to enable meaningful action.

• Sheikh Ghazal Ghazal, spiritual leader of the Alawites, spoke of brotherhood and equality among all people and urged Congress to protect vulnerable minorities, including Alawites and Christians, referencing the bombing of Mar Elias Church. He further outlined key principles for Syria’s future: (1) the need for fundamental political transformation that addresses the root causes of the Syrian crisis and fulfills the legitimate aspirations of those who took to the streets in peaceful protest; (2) the establishment of a state governed by institutions and a consensual constitution that guarantees justice, equality, and fundamental rights for all citizens; and (3) the adoption of a decentralized political system within a comprehensive federal framework to ensure genuine and equitable participation for all Syrian communities, paving the way for lasting peace and stability.

• Dr. Charles Jacobs, President of the International Freedom Coalition, drew parallels to persecution in other regions and highlighted the enslavement and abuse of minorities and women in Syria.

• Dr. Walid Phares, foreign policy expert and professor of international relations, warned of ongoing jihadist attacks targeting Syria’s indigenous populations.

• Mr. Oudai Abouassaf, President of the Druze Global PAC, underscored the suffering of the Druze community under the current regime.

• Mr. Tom Harb, co-chair of the American Mideast Coalition for Democracy, emphasized the continued persecution of Christians in Syria, a land central to early Christianity.

• Ms. Christina Abraham, Executive Director of the Ethnikos Association of Latakia-Antaradus, detailed extensive research published by her organization over the past year on attacks against Alawites and Christians, including the trafficking of women in Syria.

• Dr. Bryson Okeoma, Foreign Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile, expressed solidarity with Syria’s minorities and drew comparisons to the suffering of his own Biafran community in West Africa.

• Brig. Gen. Amir Avivi (Ret.) of the Israel Defense Forces described the ongoing violence perpetrated by the Jolani (al-Sharaa) regime against Druze, Alawite, Kurdish, and Christian communities and highlighted Israel’s role in protecting vulnerable populations.

• Inana Barakat, Director of the Anat Organization for Justice and Human Rights, delivered a harrowing testimony on the systematic atrocities faced by Syrians and minority communities following the rise of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Her remarks highlighted: (1) the emergence of a more violent regime engaged in systematic sectarian cleansing; (2) documented evidence of approximately 3,500 extrajudicial killings, 10,000 detainees who had surrendered voluntarily, and 100,000 displaced Alawites now in Lebanon; (3) disturbing testimonies of systematic rape and torture, including cases such as Fahd and Layla, used as tools of sectarian intimidation; (4) the risk of radicalizing future generations through extremist educational curricula; and (5) urgent calls for independent international investigative mechanisms, the establishment of protections for minority communities, and full accountability for war crimes under international law.

The briefing elevated urgent concerns within Congress about escalating violence against minorities and underscored the need for sustained U.S. engagement on Syria.

“One year after the massacre, the message from this briefing is clear: the international community cannot look away,” said Mohammad Shabaan, President of the Foundation for the Development of Western Syria. “We brought together voices from across communities and political perspectives to ensure that these crimes are recognized and that concrete steps are taken to protect Syria’s minorities and secure a just and lasting peace.”

The Foundation reiterated its call for an independent international investigation into the March 2025 massacre, robust security guarantees for vulnerable communities, and a comprehensive political framework that safeguards the rights and freedoms of all Syrians. The Foundation will continue engaging with international partners to advance accountability and long-term protections for Syria’s minority communities.