March 8, 2025 – Middle East
More than 300 Alawite civilians have been killed by Syrian security forces and their allies since Thursday, according to a report from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The surge in violence follows attacks carried out by loyalists of the deposed Assad regime.
The Observatory stated on Saturday that a total of 311 Alawite civilians lost their lives in the coastal region amid escalating clashes between the new Syrian authorities and militants aligned with former President Bashar al-Assad. Many of the victims, according to the report, were executed by security personnel or pro-government fighters, with widespread looting of homes and properties accompanying the killings.
Following the Islamist-led forces’ successful ousting of Assad in December, Syria’s new leadership has struggled to restore stability. The situation has become increasingly volatile, with resistance from Assad loyalists intensifying. The latest wave of violence marks one of the deadliest confrontations yet, as government forces respond with a large-scale counteroffensive in the Alawite stronghold along the Mediterranean coast.
The death toll continues to rise, with the Observatory reporting a total of 524 fatalities, including 93 members of the new government’s security forces and 120 pro-Assad fighters. The Syrian state news agency SANA confirmed that remnants of the former regime launched an assault on a hospital in Latakia, prompting a strong response from security forces.
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa addressed the ongoing conflict on Friday, calling on the insurgents to surrender. “You have attacked all Syrians and made an unforgivable mistake. The response has come, and you have not been able to withstand it,” he declared in a speech broadcast on Telegram.
International leaders and neighboring countries continue to stress the importance of national unity as Syria attempts to rebuild after years of war. The Observatory has condemned the recent events as “massacres,” highlighting that women and children were among the victims. Footage released by activists reportedly shows bodies in civilian clothing outside homes, bloodstains on the ground, and grieving families. Additional videos appear to depict armed men executing people at close range, though FRANCE 24 has not independently verified the footage.
As Syria moves forward, the challenge of establishing lasting peace remains uncertain, with deep divisions and continued violence threatening the country’s fragile stability.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
