Human rights groups report hundreds of civilians killed by new Syrian authorities amid escalating violence as the Alawite uprising unfolds. The new government claims to combat remnants of the ousted Assad regime, while acknowledging violations during their response. Regional powers express support for the government in the context of ongoing civil conflict following Assad’s overthrow.
Human rights activists report that nearly 340 civilians, including women and children from the Alawite religious minority, have been killed by the new Syrian authorities within just a few days. This alarming information was disclosed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based organization that monitors the ongoing conflict in Syria. Rami Abdulrahman, the head of the organization, noted that these killings represent the most severe episode of violence during Syria’s 13-year civil war.
The new Syrian government claims to be combating supporters of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who is also an Alawite. In early March, there was an uprising from the Alawite community in the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, reportedly led by former officers from Assad’s military. One prominent figure, Ghiyas Dala, announced the establishment of the “Military Council for the Liberation of Syria,” highlighting ties to Iranian interests through his previous affiliation with the brutal Dala Brigade.
While the new government acknowledged that “violations” occurred during its crackdown, it attributed such actions to “disorganized armed people” supporting the regime. Numerous videos showcasing the execution of Alawite individuals have emerged on social media, complicating the distinction between rebels and civilians caught in the violence.
On March 7, President Ahmad al-Sharaa publicly condemned the unrest in Latakia and Tartus, attributing the instability to “gangs of the overthrown regime” and asserting the government’s resolve to eliminate them completely. Al-Sharaa’s call for organized forces to join the fight predominantly targets various militant groups operating without formal integration into the new Ministry of Defense, yet acting in favor of the current authorities.
Regional powers such as Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have expressed support for the actions taken by the new Syrian government in response to the uprisings in Latakia and Tartus. The opposition’s efforts culminated in the overthrow of President al-Assad on December 8, 2024, when Syrian rebel forces entered Damascus, prompting Assad’s flight to Moscow.
The newly constituted transitional government is led by Muhammad Bashir, previously of the “Salvation Government,” which was established in 2017. Meanwhile, Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, claimed that the war-torn nation no longer poses a threat to its regional neighbors or the West, urging the lifting of sanctions imposed on Assad’s regime. Most recently, the new government announced the dissolution of parliament and all military and political factions, with Ahmad al-Sharaa poised to assume the presidency during the transitional phase.
The recent surge in violence against Alawite civilians in Syria underscores the tumultuous state of the nation following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. The new government’s crackdown has resulted in numerous civilian casualties, raising serious human rights concerns. As the transitional government seeks to establish order, the support from regional powers highlights the complex geopolitical interests at play during this critical period in Syrian history.
Original Source: babel.ua
