The new Syrian government reportedly killed around 340 civilians, mostly women and children of the Alawite minority, amidst a crackdown on supporters of ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The uprising in Latakia and Tartus, led by former Assad officers, has drawn attention to the human rights violations in Syria’s ongoing conflict. The international community’s response varies, with some regional powers supporting the new regime’s actions.
Recent reports from human rights activists indicate that the new Syrian government and its affiliates have killed approximately 340 civilians, including women and children from the Alawite minority, within just a few days. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, located in the United Kingdom, disclosed this information, marking it as one of the most severe episodes of violence in Syria’s ongoing civil war, which has persisted for over a decade. Rami Abdulrahman, the Observatory’s head, pointed out that the government claims these actions are part of a campaign against supporters of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who is also an Alawite.
An uprising by the Alawite community commenced in early March in the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, reportedly spearheaded by former officers of Assad’s army. On March 6, Ghiyas Dala announced the formation of the “Military Council for the Liberation of Syria.” The Dala Brigade, which fought alongside Assad’s regime from 2014 to 2020, was notably notorious for its effective and ruthless tactics. Dala maintains close ties with Iran, Assad’s primary ally.
According to Reuters, the new Syrian government has acknowledged some “violations” during the violent response to the uprising, attributing the blame to disorganized armed groups supporting the government amid ongoing military turmoil. On social media, numerous videos depicting Alawite executions have circulated, portraying numerous individuals in civilian attire—many of whom remain unidentified as rebel members or innocent civilians.
On March 7, a day prior to this report, President Ahmad al-Sharaa addressed the nation, attributing the unrest in Latakia and Tartus to “gangs of the overthrown regime” and vowing to eradicate them completely. He urged all combatants involved in this conflict to submit to command, especially emphasizing the militants who have not formally integrated into the new Ministry of Defense yet are aligned against the Assad supporters.
Regional powers such as Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have expressed their backing for the actions taken by the new Syrian authorities in Latakia and Tartus. This has unfolded following the significant event on December 8, 2024, when the Syrian opposition successfully seized the capital, Damascus, leading to the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. The former leader fled to Moscow, while the opposition is establishing a transitional government under Muhammad Bashir, prominent from the “Salvation Government” created in opposition-held regions since 2017.
Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, articulated that the nation is weary from conflict, asserting that Syria no longer poses a threat to neighboring countries or the West, thus advocating for the removal of international sanctions aimed at the previous Assad regime. At the end of January, the government announced the disbanding of parliament, military factions, and political bodies, with Ahmad al-Sharaa set to assume the presidential role during the transitional period.
The situation in Syria continues to deteriorate as the new government engages in violent crackdowns on the Alawite minority, leading to grave human rights concerns. The recent uprisings and subsequent governmental responses highlight the ongoing complexities in establishing a stable political environment post-Assad’s regime. As international actors express their support for the new Syrian authority, the emphasis remains on the urgent need to protect civilians amidst the chaos of civil conflict.
Original Source: babel.ua
