The coastal province of Latakia is in turmoil as reports emerge of mass executions of Alawites by Syrian security forces, with the situation escalating following clashes between new rulers and loyalists to ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
Alawite Minority Faces Turmoil Amid Reports of Executions in Syria
Alawite Minority Faces Turmoil Amid Reports of Executions in Syria
Allegations surface of Syrian security forces executing Alawites, raising fears of further violence in the region.
Article text:
Reports from a war monitoring group have surfaced alleging that Syrian security forces have executed dozens of individuals from the Alawite minority in Latakia, a coastal region long associated with deposed President Bashar al-Assad, also of the Alawite sect. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), based in the UK, states that around 162 civilians have fallen victim to what they describe as "field executions."
In response, an interior ministry official announced to the state news agency, Sana, that "individual violations" had occurred in the coastal areas and promised an end to these acts. Verification of the claims linking these killings specifically to the new ruling forces has yet to be achieved by BBC News. Among the victims reported by SOHR are at least 13 women and five children.
Following the ousting of Assad in December, the newly established leadership has begun military operations in Qardaha, the president's hometown. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that Syria would pursue the "remnants" of the previous regime and hold them accountable in a military response. This rise in violence has been deadly, with recent clashes yielding over 70 fatalities.
Local authorities have imposed curfews in prominent cities like Homs, Latakia, and Tartous, with the governor of Latakia confirming a complete power outage throughout the province. Activists report a tense atmosphere in the Alawite community, describing a "state of horror," as those affected feel abandoned with no government support to ensure their safety.
Geir Pedersen, the UN's special envoy for Syria, expressed grave concerns regarding the violent incidents, urging all involved parties to exercise restraint and avoid exacerbating the existing turmoil, which could threaten a credible political resolution.
Alawites represent about 10% of Syria's predominantly Sunni population, and fear of sectarian violence is palpable, with many residents acknowledging their vulnerability amid the ongoing unrest. The recent wave of violence has provoked alarm from international powers, with Turkey and Russia cautioning that escalating brutality could destabilize the region. Germany has issued a call for Syria to prevent further violence amid these growing tensions.
Reports from a war monitoring group have surfaced alleging that Syrian security forces have executed dozens of individuals from the Alawite minority in Latakia, a coastal region long associated with deposed President Bashar al-Assad, also of the Alawite sect. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), based in the UK, states that around 162 civilians have fallen victim to what they describe as "field executions."
In response, an interior ministry official announced to the state news agency, Sana, that "individual violations" had occurred in the coastal areas and promised an end to these acts. Verification of the claims linking these killings specifically to the new ruling forces has yet to be achieved by BBC News. Among the victims reported by SOHR are at least 13 women and five children.
Following the ousting of Assad in December, the newly established leadership has begun military operations in Qardaha, the president's hometown. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa stated that Syria would pursue the "remnants" of the previous regime and hold them accountable in a military response. This rise in violence has been deadly, with recent clashes yielding over 70 fatalities.
Local authorities have imposed curfews in prominent cities like Homs, Latakia, and Tartous, with the governor of Latakia confirming a complete power outage throughout the province. Activists report a tense atmosphere in the Alawite community, describing a "state of horror," as those affected feel abandoned with no government support to ensure their safety.
Geir Pedersen, the UN's special envoy for Syria, expressed grave concerns regarding the violent incidents, urging all involved parties to exercise restraint and avoid exacerbating the existing turmoil, which could threaten a credible political resolution.
Alawites represent about 10% of Syria's predominantly Sunni population, and fear of sectarian violence is palpable, with many residents acknowledging their vulnerability amid the ongoing unrest. The recent wave of violence has provoked alarm from international powers, with Turkey and Russia cautioning that escalating brutality could destabilize the region. Germany has issued a call for Syria to prevent further violence amid these growing tensions.
