Over 1,000 killed in two days of clashes in Syria: Rights group

More than 1,000 people have been killed in just two days of intense violence in Syria, marking one of the deadliest escalations in the country’s 14-year conflict, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Clashes between government forces and supporters of former President Bashar Assad, followed by brutal revenge killings, have plunged the Latakia province into chaos.

Escalating violence and civilian casualties

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that among the dead were 745 civilians, most killed at close range. Additionally, 125 government security personnel and 148 militants linked to Assad lost their lives. Large parts of Latakia province have been left without electricity and drinking water as the violence continues.

Fighting erupted on March 6 when security forces attempted to detain a wanted individual near Jableh. However, they were ambushed by Assad loyalists, triggering a wave of deadly confrontations, according to the Associated Press.

Sectarian retaliation targets Alawite communities

The violence escalated into revenge attacks by March 7. Sunni Muslim gunmen loyal to the government targeted Alawite communities, Assad’s minority sect. The situation presents a significant challenge for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist group that played a role in Assad’s ousting.

Residents have described horrific scenes in Alawite villages. Ali Sheha, a 57-year-old resident of Baniyas was quoted as saying, “Bodies were on the streets. The gunmen were less than 100 meters away, firing at homes and residents.” Witnesses reported that attackers checked people’s identification cards to confirm their sect before killing them.

Government response and international reactions

The Syrian government has stated that it has regained control of most areas seized by Assad loyalists. International condemnation swiftly followed, with France’s foreign ministry releasing a statement saying, “Paris condemns in the strongest possible terms atrocities committed against civilians on religious grounds.”

Meanwhile, thousands of Alawites have fled the violence, with many seeking refuge at Russia’s Hmeimim airbase. Lebanese legislator Haidar Nasser urged international intervention, telling AP, “The international community should protect Alawites, who are Syrian citizens loyal to their country.”

As the situation remains volatile, global attention is now focused on Syria, with fears of further escalation in an already war-torn nation.