As per the reports of a war monitoring group more than 1,000 people were killed in the last two days in a clash between the the Syrian security forces and the loyal followers of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights based in Britain mentioned that more than 745 civilians were killed mainly in the close range mow down, 125 government security force members and 148 militants aligned with Assad were also killed. The supply of drinking water and electricity were also cut off around the city of Latakia.
These clashes marked a major challenge for the newly formed Damascus government after the revolutionist took charge by overthrowing Assad.
The government stated that they were responding to attacks by remnants of Assad’s forces and attributed the widespread violence to “individual actions.”
Clash between Sunnis and Alawites
The killings, which started on Friday by Sunni Muslim gunmen loyal to the government against members of Assad’s minority Alawite splinter group are a major blow to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the faction that led the ouster of the former government. Alawites made up a large part of Assad’s support base for decades.
Denizens of Alawite villages spoke to the AP regarding the violent outbreak where the gunmen shot Alawites who were on the streets or at the gates of their homes. Many homes of Alawites were looted and then set on fire in different areas.
They asked that their names not be made public out of fear of being killed by gunmen, adding that thousands of people have fled to nearby mountains for safety.
Residents speak of monstrosity in one town
Residents of Baniyas, one of the towns most affected by the violence, described harrowing scenes of bodies lying in the streets, left unburied in homes, and even on rooftops, with no one able to retrieve them. One resident reported that armed men blocked locals for hours from recovering the bodies of five neighbors who had been executed at close range on Friday.
Ali Sheha, a 57-year-old resident who fled with his family and neighbors shortly after the violence erupted, recounted that at least 20 people from his Alawite-majority neighborhood were killed—some in their shops, others in their homes. Sheha described the attacks as “revenge killings” targeting the Alawite minority in response to crimes committed by Assad’s government. Other residents claimed the assailants included foreign fighters and militants from nearby villages and towns.
Death count has proliferated
Recent events in Syria have highlighted a surge in violence and instability, particularly affecting Alawite civilians and government forces. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a significant massacre during the Syrian conflict, initially stating that more than 600 Alawite civilians were killed. However, no official figures have been released. According to the Observatory’s chief, Rami Abdurrahman, “This was one of the biggest massacres during the Syrian conflict.” He also noted that revenge killings stopped early Saturday.
Syrian state media indicated that government forces have regained control of much of the affected areas. An unnamed Defense Ministry official stated that authorities have closed all roads leading to the coastal region “to prevent violations and gradually restore stability.” A funeral was held for four Syrian security force members who were killed in clashes along Syria’s coast, with scores of people attending.
Many Syrians are fleeing to Lebanon for safety, according to Lebanese legislator Haidar Nasser. He mentioned that some are taking shelter at the Russian air base in Hmeimim. Nasser emphasized the need for international protection of Alawites, stating that since Assad’s fall, many Alawites were fired from their jobs and some former soldiers who reconciled with the new authorities were killed. He said, “the international community should protect Alawites who are Syrian citizens loyal to their country.”
France expressed deep concern over the recent violence in Syria. In a statement, the French foreign ministry said, “Paris ‘condemns in the strongest possible terms atrocities committed against civilians on the basis of religious grounds and against prisoners.'” They urged Syrian interim authorities to ensure that independent investigations “shed full light on these crimes.”
The recent violence began when government forces attempted to detain a wanted person near the coastal city of Jableh, leading to an ambush by Assad loyalists. The new government has blamed Assad loyalists for attacks on the country’s new security forces over the past several weeks.
