745 civilians are allegedly killed in 30 “massacres” targeting Alawites in coastal regions on Friday and Saturday, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). SOHR monitors fighting in Syria, but the number of deaths is not independently verified.
The violence is believed to be the worst since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime last December. His regime was characterised by decades of repressive rule and a 14-year-long civil war.
Speaking in Damascus today, Interim President Ahmed Sharaa said, “What is currently happening in Syria is within the expected challenges.”
However, he states, “We must preserve national unity and civil peace as much as possible, and… we will be able to live together in this country.”
The ongoing violence was sparked after “treacherous attacks” on government forces in the coastal region.
Dozens of families have fled their homes in Latakia and Tartus to neighbouring Lebanon.
Including the number of fighters killed -about 125 fighters linked to the new Islamist-led government and 148 pro-Assad fighters – the total death toll is above 1,000 people.
