The Syrian interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the formation of an “independent” committee to investigate the armed clashes and massacres that killed more than 1,300 people, including 800 civilians who, according to an NGO, were mostly summarily executed by Damaso’s new security forces.

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al Sharaa announced its intention to bring to justice those responsible for the massacres, in the worst wave of violence recorded in the country in years.

In a speech delivered at a mosque in Damascus this morning, al-Sharaa called for calm, and said that what has happened has been a “long-awaited” challenge.

“We must protect national unity and civil peace,” he said after the Damascus security forces were accused of killing at least 830 in four days of military campaign in the west of the country, sectarian revenge following attacks launched last Thursday by groups loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The committee has 30 days to submit a report to the Presidency, revealing the causes and circumstances of the events and identifying those involved, who will be referred to justice. All government agencies are encouraged to cooperate with the committee in its investigation.

Two committees have already been formed in Syria, one by the Ministry of Defence to prosecute violators militarily on the Mediterranean coast, and another to investigate executions against the Alawite minority.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights urged that the personnel involved in the executions be held accountable. The Syrian government has yet to acknowledge these acts or provide casualty figures.

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