The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims that security forces executed 162 Alawite civilians in Latakia, triggering regional curfews and provoking international concern over escalating sectarian violence.
Alawite Executions Alleged Amidst Rising Violence in Syria
Alawite Executions Alleged Amidst Rising Violence in Syria
Reports emerge of Syrian security forces executing dozens of Alawites in Latakia, highlighting fears within the community as violence escalates following Assad's ousting.
Syrian security forces are facing serious allegations of committing mass executions against members of the Alawite minority in the coastal province of Latakia. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has reported that at least 162 civilians fell victim to these "field executions" in a region that is known as a stronghold for the former president Bashar al-Assad, who is also an Alawite.
In response to the claims, an official from Syria's interior ministry acknowledged that "individual violations" had taken place along the coast and promised to take measures to prevent any recurrence. However, BBC News has been unable to independently confirm that the killings were carried out by the forces currently in power following Assad's ousting.
The reported fatalities include 13 women and five children, prompting the interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to announce a military operation targeting the Assad stronghold of Qardaha. His statement followed violent clashes between remnants of Assad's forces and the new government, resulting in over 70 casualties. As a precaution, curfews were enforced in Latakia, Homs, and Tartous to manage the escalating conflict.
Activist reports from Latakia describe a pervasive sense of fear among the Alawite community, with one Syrian activist detailing their shock and anxiety about their safety amid government inaction. "They don't know what to do," the activist stated, highlighting the lack of protective measures from any governing bodies.
In a recent statement, the UN's special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed grave concern over the deadly clashes and called for all parties to act responsibly to avoid exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Residents have expressed worries about becoming targets of sectarian violence, with various voices indicating that fear has gripped both coastal and central regions of Syria. Turkey and Russia have issued warnings that the current violence, the worst since Assad's removal in December, poses risks not just to Syria but to regional stability as well. Meanwhile, Germany has urged Syria to avert a "spiral of violence" that could worsen the situation.
The Alawite population in Syria comprises approximately 10% of the country's majority Sunni demographic, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing unrest.
