Targeted killings of Alawites continue in Syria, with over 1,200 civilians dead despite President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s calls for peace. Violence includes mass killings and forced displacements, with the situation worsening amid sectarian strife. Refugees are fleeing to Lebanon, prompting urgent humanitarian concerns and calls for accountability.
In Syria, targeted killings of Alawite minorities persist despite President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s appeals for civil peace. This week alone, over 1,200 civilians, predominantly Alawites, have been reported dead in Latakia, Tartous, Hama, and Homs provinces, as indicated by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. A significant contributing factor to the rising toll was a recent incident in which 132 civilians were killed in a single day.
The violence, categorized as a massive revenge operation, involves mass killings, home burnings, and forced displacements. The ongoing conflict is exacerbated by a lack of international intervention to halt these atrocities, with the latest wave of sectarian violence marking some of the gravest bloodshed in Syria’s recent history, following a prolonged civil war. The assaults have intensified following an ambush on government forces by loyalists of former leader Bashar al-Assad.
Sharaa has accused Assad’s supporters and foreign entities of igniting dissension in the country post his government takeover. Under Assad’s rule, which heavily favored Alawites in security and paramilitary positions, the Alawite community has been indiscriminately targeted by some Sunni groups. The UN human rights office reported entire families being annihilated during the ongoing rampage across coastal provinces.
Despite Sharaa’s televised commitment to address the violence and hold accountable those responsible, unverified reports suggest ongoing killings. Moreover, approximately 230 security personnel and 250 pro-Assad fighters have also succumbed to violence during this period. The UN spokesman reported harrowing instances of families, including vulnerable individuals, being systematically targeted.
The sustained violence has compelled hundreds of civilians to flee into Lebanon for safety, creating a humanitarian predicament. Nada Mohammed, a recent refugee, recounted the trauma of fleeing with her family after witnessing atrocities in her village. Local Lebanese authorities indicated that more than 350 families have crossed the border recently.
A Syrian committee tasked with investigating the killings asserted its commitment to pursue justice for the victims, emphasizing that accountability will extend to all individuals, regardless of their status. Sharaa further disclosed ongoing evaluations to determine the involvement of armed groups not sanctioned by the defense ministry.
The alarming rise in targeted killings of Alawites in Syria illustrates the ongoing sectarian crisis exacerbated by political instability. Though President Ahmed al-Sharaa has called for investigations and accountability, the violence persists unabated, with numerous families fleeing to Lebanon in search of safety. The humanitarian implications are dire, and continued monitoring and intervention may be essential to address and halt these atrocities.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
