Syria Security Forces Accused of Civilian Killings

Syria's Security Forces Accused of Killing Hundreds of Civilians

Syria’s security forces are facing severe accusations of killing hundreds of civilians from the minority Alawite sect amid escalating violence in the country's coastal region. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in the UK, claims that 745 civilians lost their lives in around 30 separate attacks targeting Alawites on Friday and Saturday. However, BBC News has not been able to independently verify these reports.

The violence has led to mass displacement, with hundreds of people fleeing their homes in the area—an epicenter of former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, which also hails from the Alawite sect. The total death toll over the past two days has reportedly exceeded 1,000 people, marking the worst outbreak of violence in Syria since rebels overthrew Assad’s regime in December.

The toll includes dozens of government soldiers and pro-Assad militia members, who have been embroiled in clashes in the Latakia and Tartous provinces since Thursday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that at least 125 members of Syria’s security forces, led by Muslims, and 148 Assad-aligned fighters have been killed in the ongoing violence.

A spokesperson for Syria's Ministry of Defense stated that the government has reasserted control following what they described as “treacherous attacks” on their security personnel. Meanwhile, many families have fled to neighboring Lebanon, according to local news outlets.

Geir Pedersen, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, expressed deep concern over the “disturbing reports of civilian deaths” in the coastal region. He urged all parties to refrain from actions that could destabilize the country and jeopardize ongoing "transitional political processes."

Alawites, who follow a Shia Islam offshoot, make up about 10% of Syria’s population, the majority of whom are Sunni Muslims.