Over 1,200 Alawites Killed Amid Ongoing Sectarian Violence in Syria
The targeted killings of Alawites in Syria have claimed over 1,200 lives due to a revenge campaign despite calls for peace from new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. The violence, marked by mass killings and displacements, has devastated coastal regions, and hundreds are fleeing to Lebanon. A Syrian committee is investigating these atrocities to ensure accountability.
The ongoing targeted eliminations of Alawites in Syria’s coastal regions persist unabated, with reports indicating over 1,200 deaths, majority of which are civilians. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights disclosed that this figure escalated following the gruesome killing of 132 individuals within just a single day. Despite Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa’s calls for peace, these acts of violence signify a widespread revenge campaign against the Alawite community, accompanied by destruction of properties and forced displacement in the absence of international intervention.
The recent surge in sectarian bloodshed ranks among the most catastrophic phases during Syria’s fourteen-year civil war. These assaults particularly target Alawite-dominated areas and were reportedly provoked by gunmen supporting the ousted leader Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa has attributed the turmoil to Assad’s loyalists and foreign entities purportedly attempting to destabilize the region, particularly after armed militias forced Assad into exile.
A recent report from the UN human rights office elaborated on the horror, detailing instances where entire families were annihilated, including women and children. The office stated that recent reports show numerous crimes aligned with sectarian violence, primarily against Alawite villages. The right agency noted skepticism in the casualty figures, projecting the true number of fatalities to be considerably higher, attributing many of the killings to summary executions motivated by sectarian hatred.
The atrocities have prompted mass displacements, conditioning hundreds of families to seek refuge in Lebanon. A witness recounted fleeing her village upon receiving a warning call, unveiling brutal slayings witnessed. Lebanon’s local authorities have reported that over 350 families have crossed the border recently, marking an alarming response to the intolerable violence.
To address these heinous acts, a Syrian committee has been formed to investigate sectarian murders, emphasizing the accountability of anyone involved. While Mr. Sharaa confirmed the current security situation remains precarious, he conceded that certain armed factions acted independently of the defense ministry, complicating efforts to restore order.
The continued violence against the Alawite community in Syria highlights a tragic escalation in sectarian conflict, demonstrating the precarious state of security and governance. With over 1,200 civilian deaths and widespread displacement, the humanitarian crisis deepens, necessitating imminent international intervention. Efforts by the newly installed government under Sharaa to address the violence must be effectively executed to hold the perpetrators accountable and restore peace in the troubled region.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
