ALEPPO, Syria (AP) — The first trial was opened on Tuesday of some of the hundreds of suspects linked to deadly clashes in Syria’s coastal provinces earlier this year that quickly spiraled into sectarian attacks.
State media reported that 14 people were brought to Aleppo’s Palace of Justice following a monthslong, government-led investigation into the violence in March involving government forces and supporters of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad. The investigating committee referred 563 suspects to the judiciary.
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People attend Syria's first public trial related to deadly clashes in March along the country's coastal provinces, at the Palace of Justice in Aleppo, Syria, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Security guards stand by a holding cell during Syria's first public trial related to deadly clashes in March along the country's coastal provinces, at the Palace of Justice in Aleppo, Syria, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Suspects stand inside a holding cell during Syria's first public trial related to deadly clashes in March along the country's coastal provinces, at the Palace of Justice in Aleppo, Syria, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Suspects stand inside a holding cell, left, as judges preside over Syria's first public trial related to deadly clashes in March along the country's coastal provinces, at the Palace of Justice in Aleppo, Syria, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Seven of the defendants in the court were Assad loyalists, while the other seven were members of the new government's security forces.
The trial follows pressure from the public and the international community for the country's new rulers to commit to judicial reform after decades under the autocratic rule of the Assad dynasty.
Despite initial reports by the state media that charges could quickly be brought against the defendants, the judge adjourned the session and rescheduled the next hearing for December.
Charges against the suspects could include sedition, inciting civil war, attacking security forces, murder, looting and leading armed gangs, according to state media.
The judge was heard during the televised proceedings asking the defendants if they were military or civilian. One suspect, an Assad loyalist, was accused of taking part in an ambush on government forces and trying to hide the weapons used.
During questioning by the judge of a suspect from the Syrian security forces accused of a targeted killing, a video showing the alleged killing was submitted as evidence. The suspect claimed the video was fabricated and denied killing anyone.
“But you're clearly visible in the video, showing you killing the person who is kneeling down,” the judge said.
Relatives of some of the defendants attended the hearing. Ayman Bakkour told The Associated Press that his son, a member of the the government's 82nd Division military unit, has been held in custody for at least seven months.
“My son was arrested for violations in the coast,” Bakkour, from Idlib province, said outside the courthouse. “There were clashes there and he took a video that accidentally went viral. He's now being prosecuted."
Given the scale of the violence and the number of suspects, it is unclear how long the proceedings will take.
The clashes in March erupted after armed groups aligned with Assad ambushed the new government’s security forces. A counteroffensive then spiraled into sectarian revenge attacks and the massacre of hundreds of civilians from the Alawite religious minority, to which Assad belongs and who largely live along the coast.
The attacks on the Alawite community mounted pressure on interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Since coming to power in December, his government has scrambled to step out from diplomatic isolation and convince the U.S. to drop crippling sanctions and boost trade to rebuild the war-torn country.
The government's investigating committee in July concluded that over 1,400 people, mostly civilians, were killed during several days of sectarian violence. But the inquiry said there was no evidence that Syria’s new military leaders had ordered attacks on the Alawite community.
A United Nations probe, however, found that violence targeting civilians by government-aligned factions had been “widespread and systematic.”
The U.N. commission said that during the violence homes in Alawite-majority areas were raided and civilians were asked "whether they were Sunni or Alawite.” It said: ”Alawite men and boys were then taken away to be executed."
Chehayeb and Harb contributed from Beirut.
People attend Syria's first public trial related to deadly clashes in March along the country's coastal provinces, at the Palace of Justice in Aleppo, Syria, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Security guards stand by a holding cell during Syria's first public trial related to deadly clashes in March along the country's coastal provinces, at the Palace of Justice in Aleppo, Syria, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Suspects stand inside a holding cell during Syria's first public trial related to deadly clashes in March along the country's coastal provinces, at the Palace of Justice in Aleppo, Syria, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Suspects stand inside a holding cell, left, as judges preside over Syria's first public trial related to deadly clashes in March along the country's coastal provinces, at the Palace of Justice in Aleppo, Syria, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 15, 2026--
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) today announced Apartment Collection by Hilton, a new lodging category within Hilton's growing collection brand portfolio – offering unique, spacious furnished apartments with the trusted hospitality and reliability guests expect from Hilton. Apartment Collection by Hilton will be available for booking through Hilton channels in the first half of 2026, with initial properties in the U.S. launched in partnership with Placemakr—a leading apartment hospitality brand and operator specializing in flexible, short-term and extended-stay accommodations in urban and suburban markets, with nearly a decade of experience integrating innovative hospitality solutions and trusted service.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260115804669/en/
The launch of Apartment Collection by Hilton allows the company to build on its existing global inventory of approximately 10,000 apartment-style units, adding as many as 3,000 new units through its partnership with Placemakr. Hilton expects to significantly grow its apartment-style inventory over the next few years through this new partnership and through additional franchise agreements with new owners in the multi-family segment.
Designed to provide flexibility for guests to stay their way, Apartment Collection by Hilton offers studio to four-bedroom furnished apartments for a variety of stay occasions — from a family getaway or friends’ reunion to an extended work trip where business travelers need comfort and consistency. Featuring chef-ready kitchens, spacious separate living areas, and on-site laundry, each distinct property is located in the heart of sought-after destinations – offering guests easy access to both must-go-to destinations and unique, under-the-radar gems. Each stay delivers an elevated experience that captures the local character of its surroundings, with the convenience and smart amenities of apartment-style living. Guests will be thoughtfully hosted, with dedicated team members available on-site 24/7 to provide support and ensure guests feel cared for.
To bring this vision to life, Hilton is launching this brand in partnership with Placemakr—a leading brand and management company in the furnished and unfurnished apartment sectors. Placemakr’s proven operational model brings deep multi-family expertise to launch Hilton’s growth in this expanding segment. Placemakr has leveraged organic growth and asset-light management agreements with its business model and is centered on partnering with multi-family building owners to convert either an entire building or a subset of units in an apartment building into furnished short-term rentals. Through the partnership with Placemakr, as well as with relationships with multi-family owners, Hilton expects to see strong growth for the brand, given the popularity of the apartment-style hospitality market.
“Apartment Collection by Hilton represents the next chapter in Hilton’s growth story and the ways we are evolving to meet growing guest demand for this dynamic segment of hospitality,” said Chris Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton. “With this new brand, we are continuing to pioneer the future of the hospitality industry, giving guests even more ways to choose Hilton for every stay, backed by our service and reliability.”
Powered by Hilton’s trusted brand standards, Apartment Collection by Hilton will maintain consistent quality across every property, with every stay integrated into Hilton’s booking and loyalty systems, ensuring reliability and peace of mind for guests and owners alike. In the first half of 2026, travelers will be able to book stays via Hilton.com at Apartment Collection by Hilton in destinations including New York City, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta.
“After an extensive search, Hilton is proud to partner with Placemakr to introduce Hilton’s new lodging category,” said Chris Silcock, president, global brands and commercial services, Hilton. “We’ve long seen the opportunity to deliver hospitality-driven apartment stays, offering spacious accommodations, thoughtful amenities, and authentic connections to local neighborhoods, and Placemakr shares that vision. For nearly a decade, they’ve demonstrated a strong commitment to guests through high product standards and exceptional service.”
Each Apartment Collection by Hilton property will be thoughtfully designed to support guests’ routines and provide flexible spaces for real life. Guests will also enjoy access to fitness centers and select properties may also feature rooftop pools and terraces, communal gathering and workspaces, and on-site dining and retail.
“Placemakr is proud to bring our deep expertise in the furnished apartment space to this innovative new brand with Hilton,” said Bao Vuong, co-founder and president, Placemakr. “We’re thrilled for Hilton guests and Hilton Honors members to experience what we’ve built over the past decade. We’ve pioneered the furnished apartments asset class property by property, stay by stay, and to continue that work alongside the world’s most valuable hotel brand is so exciting.”
“We’re also excited for what this means for our real estate partners,” added Jason Fudin, co-founder and CEO, Placemakr. “Hilton’s industry-leading commercial engine and scale will help create even more value for our partners while accelerating our mission to maximize the value of real estate through flexibility. This marks a new chapter in flexible real estate, and we couldn’t be more excited.”
Apartment Collection by Hilton will participate in Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program with more than 235 million members for Hilton’s portfolio of world-class brands. Members will be able to book, earn and redeem Hilton Honors Points for stays through Hilton’s direct channels and have access to instant benefits, including exclusive member discounts and free standard Wi-Fi.
PJT Partners and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC were the strategic financial advisors on this partnership for Hilton and Placemakr, respectively.
For more information, visit Stories From Hilton.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 26 world-class brands comprising 9,000 properties and over 1.3 million rooms, in 141 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No. 1 World’s Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 235 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook,X, LinkedIn,Instagram and YouTube.
About Placemakr
Placemakr is a hospitality brand and management company focused on the furnished apartment space. The company transforms multifamily properties into a unique blend of apartment living and hospitality and has been the pioneer of the flexible living asset class. Placemakr's innovative tech-enabled platform provides an unmatched experience for its guests and residents, combining the advantages of apartment living with the services and reliability of a hotel, all within a single building. Placemakr's thoughtfully curated spaces in carefully selected neighborhoods offer guests and residents the flexibility to stay for a night, a year, or any duration in between.
Hilton Introduces Apartment Collection by Hilton: Furnished Apartment Accommodations, Hosted by Hilton
