Death Toll in Syria’s Coastal Violence Rises to 1,500 Civilians
Rami Abdulrahman stated that the number of casualties is expected to rise further as documentation efforts continue.
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The conflict, which erupted on March 6, has resulted in a series of brutal massacres, including two newly documented incidents in Latakia and Tartous provinces that claimed 24 more lives, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Friday. The death toll from the ongoing violence in Syria’s coastal region has surged to at least 1,500 civilians, with the majority being from the Alawite minority.
According to SOHR, many victims were executed inside their homes or in agricultural fields, with reports indicating that security forces and allied militias carried out mass killings. The Observatory’s director, Rami Abdulrahman, confirmed that most of the deaths occurred during field executions, particularly targeting the Alawite community.
“These were not random acts of violence but systematic executions,” Abdulrahman stated. He added that the number of casualties is expected to rise further as documentation efforts continue.
Sectarian Tensions Spark Clashes
The violence was initially triggered by the arrest of a wanted individual in a predominantly Alawite village in Latakia’s countryside. The situation quickly spiraled into broader confrontations when armed Alawite factions—described by authorities as pro-Assad militias—opened fire on security forces in multiple locations, SOHR reported.
In response to the mounting crisis, Syria’s transitional presidency announced the formation of an investigative committee to uncover the causes of the violence, examine human rights violations against civilians, and identify those responsible.
Meanwhile, authorities reported the arrest of at least seven individuals on Monday, accusing them of committing crimes against civilians in the coastal region. The detainees have been referred to the military judiciary for prosecution.
UN Condemns ‘Horrific’ Scale of Violence
The United Nations Security Council on Friday strongly denounced the “horrific” violence in Syria’s western provinces, urging the country’s transitional leadership to ensure the protection of all communities, regardless of religious or ethnic background.
In a statement, the Council condemned the widespread atrocities since March 6, specifically highlighting the mass killings of civilians, particularly within the Alawite community, which had long been associated with the Assad regime.
Read More: After massacres, UNSC urges Syria to protect all people regardless of religion, ethnicity