Damascus: The massacre in Syria has been going on for the last three days, resulting in more than a thousand deaths in the conflict. This conflict, which is taking place between the new government that has taken control of the country and the supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad, has now turned extremely violent. Monitoring an organizations tracking in the Syrian civil war have reported that over a thousand people were killed in the ongoing clashes between the Syrian Security Forces and the loyalists of President Assad. Saturday has been counted as the one of the deadliest days of the 14-year-long conflict in Syria.
More Than 1000 Killed, Including 745 Civilians
According to the British Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 745 civilians have been killed in this conflict, most of whom have been shot from close range. In addition, 125 members of the government security forces and 148 people from armed groups associated with former President Assad have also lost their lives. Reports also claim that electricity and drinking water have been cut off in large parts of the city of Latakia, causing panic among the residents.
The power shift in Syria took place in December 2024 when the HTS organization led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani captured the capital Damascus, forcing Bashar al-Assad to flee the country. However, the situation in Syria has deteriorated again after a temporary 2-month peace, and the civil war has resumed.
Massacre of Alawite Community in Syria
The most horrifying part of the conflict is the massacre of the Alawite community, which supports former President Bashar al-Assad. According to reports, Sunni Muslim gunmen have launched an attack against the Alawite minority in Latakia and its surrounding areas. It is being reported that people are being dragged out of their homes and shot at point-blank range. Additionally, houses belonging to Alawite families have been set on fire and looted.
The Alawite community is a branch of Shia Muslims, and former President Assad also comes from this community. The conflict has now turned into Shia vs Sunni violence, with gunmen seeking revenge for the alleged atrocities committed during Assad's regime.
Houses Being Burned, People Shot in Streets
According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), residents from the coastal region of Syria have shared harrowing accounts of massacres in their neighborhoods. They revealed that gunmen are stopping people from burying the dead bodies. An eyewitness told AP that at least 20 people have been killed in his neighborhood, and all were from the Alawite community.
AP also reported that ID cards are being checked by gunmen, and people belonging to the Alawite community are being shot dead on the spot. Additionally, several bodies are still lying in the streets, and the gunmen are not allowing burials to take place. According to reports, the gunmen said they are taking revenge for the crimes committed during Assad’s administration.
Syrian Government Responds to Attacks
The Syrian government, led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has responded to these attacks by blaming the supporters of Assad for provoking violence. The government also stated that individual actions of revenge cannot be controlled in such a chaotic situation. However, the government did assure that the Syrian Army is now regaining control of the affected areas.
The Observatory Chief Rami Abdurrahman has called this massacre one of the biggest killings in the history of the Syrian conflict. According to him, the previous massacre figure was 600, but now the number has crossed 1000 in just three days.
Current Situation in Syria
The situation in Syria remains extremely tense, especially in the Alawite-dominated areas. While the Syrian Security Forces are trying to regain control of the territory, revenge killings by armed groups continue to wreak havoc. The international community has condemned the violence and has urged for an immediate ceasefire in Syria. However, with sectarian violence escalating rapidly, the end of the conflict seems far-fetched.
