In a harrowing escalation of violence along Syria’s coast, security forces are accused of massacring hundreds of Alawites, stirring fears and prompting mass evacuations towards Russian military bases and neighboring nations.
Grievous Allegations Arise as Syrian Forces Accused of Targeted Civilian Killings
Grievous Allegations Arise as Syrian Forces Accused of Targeted Civilian Killings
Reports emerge of mass civilian casualties among the Alawite community in Syria as hostilities escalate, prompting calls for restraint.
Syrian security forces stand accused of perpetrating a series of brutal killings against civilians of the Alawite minority, with reports indicating that around 745 individuals died in what the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) describes as approximately 30 separate "massacres." This surge of violence unfolded over a short span during the recent weekend. The figure remains unverified by independent sources, casting doubt on the exact scale of the tragedy.
The coastal regions of Latakia and Tartous, historically aligned with deposed President Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect, have witnessed an influx of terrified families abandoning their homes due to fears of violence. Over 1,000 fatalities, including both government personnel and Assad loyalists, have been attributed to the clashes that reignited since Thursday, marking the most severe violence to hit Syria since the upheaval initiated by rebel forces in December.
Local activists have reported that the Alawite community is engulfed in terror, with substantial movements of displaced individuals seeking refuge at a Russian military base in Latakia, where crowds have been heard chanting for "protection." Concurrently, a number of families have crossed into Lebanon, adding strain to the already complex humanitarian situation.
UN's designated envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed profound concern regarding the alarming reports of civilian deaths and pleaded with all parties to refrain from actions that might exacerbate the situation and derail efforts toward a genuine political resolution.
With Alawites, who represent roughly 10% of Syria's populace, bracing for more uncertainty amid the ongoing civil unrest, the international community watches closely, hoping for a way forward amidst the shadows of violence.
