Syrian security forces are accused of executing dozens of Alawite civilians in the coastal province of Latakia, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The war monitoring group reported that at least 162 people have been killed in what they describe as “field executions” in the region, which is considered the heartland of deposed President Bashar al-Assad, who is also a member of the Alawite sect.
The killings are said to include 13 women and five children. An official from Syria’s Interior Ministry acknowledged “individual violations” in the coastal area but assured that steps would be taken to prevent further incidents. However, BBC News has been unable to independently verify the claims of these executions or confirm if they were carried out by forces under Syria’s new rulers.
The violence follows escalating clashes between the Syrian government’s military forces and fighters loyal to Assad, resulting in the deaths of over 70 people. A curfew has been imposed in key cities, including Homs, Latakia, and Tartous, and the governor of Latakia confirmed that power to the province has been cut off.
A video verified by BBC News shows a body being dragged behind a car in Latakia, adding to the growing evidence of widespread violence. Local activists reported that the Alawite community, in particular, is living in fear, with many feeling abandoned by the government and unable to protect themselves.
Syria’s interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, vowed to target “the remnants” of Assad’s regime, signaling further military action in the former president’s hometown of Qardaha. The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed deep concern over the escalating violence, urging all parties to refrain from actions that could destabilize the region and hinder the country’s transition to peace.
The situation has left many Syrians, especially within the Alawite sect, terrified of becoming scapegoats amid rising sectarian tensions. International actors, including Turkey and Russia, have warned that the ongoing bloodshed threatens the broader stability of the region, while Germany has called on Syria to avoid a “spiral of violence.”
Alawites, an offshoot of Shia Islam, make up about 10% of Syria’s population, which is predominantly Sunni. The ongoing violence marks one of the most severe escalations since the fall of Assad’s regime in December.
