A Syrian war monitor reported on Monday that security forces and allied groups have killed 973 civilians in a series of “massacres” in coastal areas and the Latakia Mountains since March 6. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said, “The total number of civilian martyrs who were liquidated amounted to 973, including women and children,” adding that “killings, field executions, and ethnic cleansing operations” were still ongoing following deadly clashes between security forces and Alawite gunmen loyal to toppled president Bashar al-Assad.Syria has been in turmoil since Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in December. The insurgent-led government that replaced him has struggled to maintain control, and tensions have exploded into sectarian violence. Clashes between security forces and Assad loyalists have triggered widespread attacks, particularly against the Alawite community, which was the backbone of Assad’s regime. The bloodshed began on Thursday when government forces attempted to detain a suspect near Jableh but were ambushed by armed Assad supporters. In response, security forces launched crackdowns in Alawite strongholds along the Mediterranean coast. Authorities claim they were targeting remnants of Assad’s forces but admitted that “individual actions” contributed to the killings.Hundreds of Alawite civilians killed in ‘executions’ by Syria’s security forces • FRANCE 24 Under Assad, Alawites dominated the military and security agencies. Now, they are being targeted as the new government blames Assad loyalists for ongoing attacks. In several areas, Alawites have faced retribution killings, looting, and arson. Witnesses described horrific scenes where gunmen stormed homes, executed Alawites in the streets, and set properties on fire. Thousands have fled into the mountains, fearing further attacks. One of the worst-hit towns, Baniyas, saw bodies left uncollected in the streets as residents were too afraid to retrieve them. Ali Sheha, a 57-year-old resident, told AFP that at least 20 of his neighbours had been killed, some inside their shops and homes. “Gunmen were firing at houses, looting shops, and checking IDs to execute Alawites,” he said. By early Saturday, the revenge killings had slowed, but the devastation was immense. Observatory chief Rami Abdurrahman called it “one of the biggest massacres” of the conflict.
973 civilians killed in Syria in ‘one of the biggest massacres’ since Assad’s fall: War monitor
