Over 1,300 Civilians Killed in Syria Conflict
The recent wave of violence in Syria’s Mediterranean coast has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 1,383 civilians, with the majority of them being Alawites. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that these civilians were targeted in “executions by security forces and allied groups” in the Alawite heartland last week.
The violence, which primarily unfolded in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, as well as in the neighboring province of Hama, has left a devastating impact on the affected communities. The Observatory revealed that bodies are still being discovered, many of them in farmland or homes.
The clashes began when loyalists of former president Bashar al-Assad launched attacks on the new security forces, resulting in the deaths of at least 231 security personnel and 250 pro-Assad fighters, according to official figures. The UN Human Rights Office documented “summary executions” that seemed to have a sectarian undertone.
Following these horrific events, Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that ousted Assad, has pledged to hold those responsible for the civilian casualties accountable. A fact-finding committee has been established to investigate the bloodshed of civilians and prevent unlawful revenge.
Syria has taken measures to ensure justice, including the arrest of seven individuals suspected of violating the rights of civilians. HTS, a former Syrian Al-Qaeda affiliate, remains designated as a terrorist organization by multiple governments, including the United States.
Since the ousting of Assad in December, the Alawite community has been living in fear of reprisals due to his brutal regime. The escalating violence in Syria’s Mediterranean coast underscores the urgent need for accountability and justice to prevent further atrocities against civilians.
