A former Syrian diplomat, Noureddine al-Labbad, was shot dead along with his brother in Al-Sanamayn, highlighting the surge in violence following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. Over 1,300 civilians, primarily from the Alawite sect, have been killed. Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has initiated a fact-finding mission to address these atrocities. The violence has prompted condemnation from the EU and concern among survivors.
A former Syrian diplomat, Noureddine al-Labbad, was assassinated by armed individuals who stormed his residence in Al-Sanamayn, located 50 kilometers south of Damascus. His brother was also killed in the attack, which unfolded on Tuesday night. Labbad had recently returned to Syria from France, where he represented the Syrian National Coalition, after defecting from the Assad administration in 2013.
This tragic event occurs amidst escalating violence in Syria, which has led to the deaths of over 1,300 civilians, predominantly of the Alawite sect. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that many of these fatalities are due to executions orchestrated by security forces and their allied groups, with ongoing discoveries of additional bodies particularly noted in the coastal provinces of Latakia, Tartus, and Hama.
In response to the pervasive violence, Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa established a fact-finding mission aimed at holding accountable those responsible for civilian casualties. The European Union has expressed support for this initiative, emphasizing the necessity to bring the perpetrators to justice, while strongly condemning recent attacks by pro-Assad militias against security entities.
Survivors and eyewitness accounts depict a highly disturbing wave of violence, with entire families, including non-combatants, targeted and killed based on their sectarian identity. The UN human rights office indicated that residents were often asked to identify their sect before being either spared or executed.
Amidst ongoing hostilities, various armed factions have emerged in the region, with Human Rights Watch citing that both local and foreign groups have participated in these operations. The situation remains complex as multiple entities, including those previously allied with former jihadist organizations, continue to engage in conflict, highlighting the intricate and precarious nature of the security landscape in Syria today.
The assassination of Noureddine al-Labbad underscores the perilous environment facing former officials in Syria amid a rising death toll from ongoing violence. As more civilians fall victim to executions and sectarian targeting, the establishment of a fact-finding mission signifies a crucial step towards accountability. International support for justice emphasizes the urgency of addressing these acts of brutality and restoring peace in the region.
Original Source: www.abc.net.au
