Syria's Interim Leader Pledges Justice for Bloodshed
Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to hold accountable those responsible for civilian deaths after recent clashes reportedly led to hundreds of fatalities, particularly among the Alawite minority.
A UK-based monitor reported that 830 civilians were killed in "massacres" targeting Alawites on Syria’s west coast between Friday and Saturday. However, the BBC has been unable to independently verify these figures, which are believed to represent the deadliest violence since the fall of the Assad regime.
In a televised speech and a social media post, Sharaa, whose rebel movement overthrew Bashar al-Assad in December, also vowed to pursue loyalists of the former government.
Mounting Casualties and Warnings from the UN
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that in addition to the civilian casualties, 231 security personnel and 250 pro-Assad fighters have also been killed, bringing the total death toll to 1,311.
Speaking on Sunday, Sharaa warned of efforts by remnants of the previous regime and their foreign supporters to incite further conflict and destabilize Syria. He promised decisive action against those responsible for civilian bloodshed and abuses of power.
“No one will be above the law, and anyone with blood on their hands will face justice sooner rather than later,” he stated in a speech broadcast by the state news agency Sana.
Sharaa also announced the formation of an "independent committee" to investigate violations against civilians and identify those responsible. While calling for national unity, he refrained from directly addressing allegations of atrocities committed by his supporters in Latakia and Tartous.
Fleeing Violence and Protests in Damascus
The recent bloodshed erupted following ambushes on government forces last Thursday, escalating into widespread clashes between Assad loyalists and government forces. A Syrian security source reported a reduction in fighting around Latakia, Jabla, and Baniyas by Sunday.
Amid the unrest, hundreds of civilians have fled their homes along the Mediterranean coast. Latakia and Tartous, former strongholds of the deposed Assad regime, are now in turmoil. The Alawite community, which comprises about 10% of Syria’s population, has been gripped by fear following the violence. An activist in Latakia described the situation as "a state of horror."
Large crowds sought refuge at a Russian military base in Hmeimim, chanting for Russian protection, while others fled to neighboring Lebanon.
In Damascus, protests erupted against the escalating violence. Demonstrators gathered in Marjeh Square, also known as Martyrs’ Square, holding placards and calling for peace.
International Reactions and Calls for Action
UN special envoy Geir Pedersen expressed alarm over the reported civilian casualties, urging all parties to avoid actions that could further destabilize Syria or derail hopes for a peaceful political transition. UN human rights chief Volker Türk echoed these concerns, calling for urgent, transparent, and impartial investigations into the killings.
Iran’s ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, condemned the killings in Latakia and Tartous as "systematic and extremely dangerous." He criticized the Syrian interim government for failing to control the situation. Iran, which was allied with Assad's regime before its fall, has warned of an increasingly volatile situation in Syria’s transition period.
The fall of Assad in December marked the end of a brutal and repressive era that lasted for decades. However, the ongoing violence and sectarian tensions pose a significant challenge to Syria’s stability and its path forward.
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