Syrian security forces accused of killing hundreds of civilians

According to a war monitoring organization, Syrian security forces have been accused of killing hundreds of civilians belonging to the Alawite minority group in ongoing violent clashes in the country's coastal region. The organization's report has heightened concerns about the situation in Syria, highlighting the severe impact of the conflict on civilians.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that approximately 745 civilians were killed in about 30 "massacres" targeting Alawites on Friday and Saturday. However, BBC News has not been able to independently verify these claims, leaving the veracity of the situation pending further confirmation.

Reportedly, hundreds of people in the region, which is the hometown of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who also belongs to the Alawite sect, have fled their homes. SOHR stated that more than 1,000 people have been killed in the past two days, marking the worst violence in Syria since anti-government forces overthrew Assad's regime last December.

SOHR's report indicates that the death toll includes dozens of government soldiers and pro-Assad militants who have been caught in conflict in the coastal Latakia and Tartus provinces since Thursday. A spokesperson for the Syrian Ministry of Defense told the country's SANA news agency that the government had re-established control after a "treacherous attack" against its security personnel.

According to Reuters, a large crowd sought refuge at the Khmeimim Russian military base in Latakia. Video footage shared by Reuters showed dozens of people chanting "the people want Russian protection" outside the base. Simultaneously, local media reported that dozens of families had fled to neighboring Lebanon.

Geir Pedersen, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, stated that he was "deeply shocked" by the "very disturbing reports of civilian casualties" in the Syrian coastal region. He called on all parties to refrain from actions that could "undermine" the country's stability and jeopardize a "credible and inclusive political transition." The Alawites are a branch of Shia Islam and make up approximately 10% of Syria's population, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim.