Over 1,000 dead in Syria clashes, revenge killings
What's the story
More than 1,000 people have been killed in Syria in a wave of clashes followed by revenge killings. The violence was one of the deadliest since the country's conflict began 14 years ago. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor, said among the dead were 745 civilians, mostly from close-range shootings. Additionally, 125 members of government security forces and 148 militants affiliated with ousted President Bashar Assad were also killed.
Conflict escalation
Major escalation in Syria's conflict
The latest violence is the most serious escalation in the Syrian conflict in recent times. This comes three months after insurgents ousted Assad from power. The government claimed they were responding to attacks from remnants of Assad's forces and blamed the widespread violence on "individual actions." The situation has caused power cuts and disrupted the drinking water supply in large areas around the city of Latakia.
Sectarian violence
Retribution killings impact Alawite communities
Retribution killings launched by government-loyal Sunni Muslim gunmen on Friday against Assad's minority Alawite sect took a heavy toll on the community. The faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was instrumental in toppling the former regime. Residents from Alawite towns reported gunmen shooting members of their community on the streets or at the gates of their homes. Many houses were looted and set ablaze across regions, the Associated Press reported.
Town under siege
Atrocities in Baniyas
Baniyas, one of the worst-hit towns, has been painted as a horror scene by residents. Bodies lay unburied in houses and on roofs of buildings. Local resident Ali Sheha said gunmen wouldn't let the residents remove bodies for hours after they were shot at close range. He called the attacks "revenge killings" against the Alawite minority for atrocities committed by Assad's government.
Global reaction
International response and aftermath
The French foreign ministry condemned the "atrocities committed against civilians on religious grounds and against prisoners," expressing deep concern over the violence in Syria. It urged Syrian interim authorities to ensure independent investigations into the crimes. According to the Observatory, the recent clashes started when government forces tried to detain a wanted person near the coastal city of Jableh but were ambushed by Assad loyalists.