Over 4,700 Syrian civilians have been killed within 100 days following President Bashar al-Assad’s ousting, with sectarian violence significantly contributing to the death toll. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports a total of 6,316 deaths, including military casualties and a notable rise in extrajudicial killings, indicating a rapid deterioration in security and increased chaos in the region.
In the aftermath of President Bashar al-Assad’s departure on December 8, 2024, Syria has witnessed a distressing surge in violence, with over 4,700 civilians reportedly killed within the first 100 days. According to a report from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, of these fatalities, approximately 1,800 were attributed to sectarian violence, highlighting the rampant chaos permeating the nation.
The total death toll across Syria has reached 6,316, inclusive of 4,711 civilians, among whom are 345 women and 194 children. Additionally, military casualties are reported at 1,605. The war monitor’s data indicates that 1,805 deaths resulted from extrajudicial killings and executions based on perceived sectarian identities and affiliations with the former regime.
Notably, most of these incidents transpired in March, particularly a series of attacks by pro-Assad forces on Ministry checkpoints along the coast, with heightened violence escalating after March 6. The abrupt end of the Assad regime has created a dangerous power vacuum, enabling various armed factions to exploit the instability for personal gain.
Initially, the Islamist coalition that spearheaded Assad’s ousting, mainly led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), managed to maintain a degree of order. However, by the end of February, conditions deteriorated, particularly due to coordinated assaults by Assad loyalists on officials in the Alawite-majority regions of western Syria, leading to severe retaliation from security forces aligned with the newly established government.
The Alawite minority, which has dominated the leadership under the Assad family for over fifty years, has faced intensified violence. The dominance of Alawites in senior government and military roles, both during the regimes of Hafez and Bashar al-Assad, has exacerbated tensions within a fragmented national landscape.
The report reveals a stark increase in violence in Syria, with thousands of civilians killed following the ouster of President Assad. The rise of sectarian violence and power struggles among various groups underscores the fragility of the current situation. As the country grapples with the consequences of the regime’s collapse, the focus remains on addressing the escalating conflict and protecting the civilian population amidst a chaotic landscape.
Original Source: efe.com
