Syrian security forces have allegedly killed hundreds of Alawite civilians in ongoing violence along the country’s coastal regions, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The UK-based war monitoring group reported that 745 civilians were killed in about 30 massacres targeting the Alawite minority on Friday and Saturday.
The BBC has not independently verified these claims, but reports indicate that **hundreds of people have fled their homes in the Latakia and Tartous provinces, strongholds of deposed President Bashar al-Assad, himself an Alawite.
According to SOHR, more than 1,000 people have been killed over two days, making it the worst violence in Syria since Assad’s regime was overthrown in December.
The death toll includes 125 members of government security forces and 148 pro-Assad fighters.
Syrian government troops and loyalist militias have been locked in fierce clashes with Islamist-led government forces since Thursday, escalating tensions in the war-torn nation.
A Syrian defense ministry spokesman, quoted by state-run Sana news agency, claimed that the government had re-established control after “treacherous attacks” against its security forces.
However, the escalating violence has left Alawite communities in fear, with large crowds seeking refuge at a Russian military base in Hmeimim, Latakia, according to Reuters. Footage shared by the news agency showed dozens of people chanting “people want Russian protection” outside the base.
Additionally, dozens of families have reportedly fled to Lebanon, according to local media sources.
The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed deep concern over the “very troubling reports” of civilian casualties. He urged all parties to refrain from actions that could “destabilise Syria further” and hinder a “credible and inclusive political transition.”
Alawites, a Shiite offshoot sect, make up around 10% of Syria’s population, which is majority Sunni Muslim. The recent violence has heightened fears of sectarian conflict, raising concerns about Syria’s fragile stability.
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