Syrian security forces are accused of killing hundreds of Alawite civilians in a series of violent clashes along the country’s coast, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The British-based monitoring group reported that around 745 Alawite civilians were killed in about 30 separate “massacres” over the course of Friday and Saturday. However, BBC News has been unable to independently verify these claims.
The violence has led to widespread displacement, with hundreds of people fleeing their homes in the region, which is a stronghold of former President Bashar al-Assad, who also belongs to the Alawite sect.
In total, the SOHR estimates that over 1,000 people have died in the past two days, marking the worst violence in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime in December. This figure includes not only civilians but also dozens of government troops and Assad loyalists who have been engaged in clashes in Syria’s coastal Latakia and Tartous provinces since Thursday.
The casualties reportedly include 125 members of Islamist-led government security forces and 148 pro-Assad fighters, according to SOHR’s report.
The Alawites, who are a Shia Muslim offshoot, comprise about 10% of Syria’s population, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim.
In response to the violence, a Syrian defense ministry spokesperson claimed that the government had regained control after repelling what they called “treacherous attacks” on security personnel.
The situation has left many in the Alawite community terrified. One activist described the region as being in “a state of horror,” with large numbers fleeing the affected areas. Some have sought refuge at the Russian military base in Hmeimim, Latakia, with footage showing people chanting “people want Russian protection” outside the base. In addition, many families have fled to neighboring Lebanon.
The United Nations’ special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed concern over the rising civilian casualties, urging all sides to avoid actions that could further destabilize the country and derail efforts for a peaceful and inclusive political transition.
