Syrian security forces accused of killing hundreds of civilians

According to a war monitoring organization, Syrian security forces are suspected of killing hundreds of civilians belonging to the Alawite minority group in ongoing violent clashes in the Syrian coastal region. The organization's report has heightened concerns about the humanitarian situation in the area.

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. Currently, BBC News has not been able to independently verify these claims. It is reported that hundreds of people have fled the region, which is the hometown of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who also belongs to the Alawite community.

SOHR stated that more than 1,000 people have been killed in the past 2 days, marking the worst violence in Syria since anti-government forces overthrew the Assad regime last December. The death toll includes dozens of government soldiers and militants loyal to Assad, who have been clashing in the coastal Latakia and Tartus provinces since Thursday. According to SOHR's report, approximately 125 members of government security forces led by Islamists and 148 pro-Assad militants were killed in the violence.

A spokesman for the Syrian Ministry of Defense stated through the country's SANA news agency that the government has re-established control after a "treacherous attack" on its security personnel. An activist in Latakia city stated that the violence has plunged the Alawite community into a "state of panic," and hundreds of people are reportedly fleeing the affected areas. Reuters reported that large crowds sought refuge at the Khmeimim Russian military base in Latakia. Video footage shared by Reuters showed dozens of people chanting "The people need Russian protection" outside the base. Meanwhile, according to local media reports, dozens of families fled to neighboring Lebanon.

UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, 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 avoid actions that could "undermine" the stability of the country and jeopardize a "credible and inclusive political transition." The Alawites are a branch of Shia Islam and account for approximately 10% of the Syrian population, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim.