Syria has plunged into chaos following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December, with over 1,000 people killed in just two days as violence engulfs the country. Clashes between security forces and Assad loyalists have led to a surge in sectarian attacks, particularly against the Alawite community, which formed the backbone of Assad’s regime. The violence, described as one of the deadliest episodes in Syria’s 14-year conflict, has sparked fears of further instability.
The violence erupted on Thursday, three months after the insurgent-led government took power, toppling Assad’s rule. Authorities claim they were targeting remnants of Assad’s forces but have also blamed “individual actions” for the widespread killings.
The clashes reportedly began when government forces attempted to detain a suspect near Jableh but were ambushed by Assad loyalists. Security forces have since deployed heavily in Alawite strongholds along the Mediterranean coast.
Reinforcement Syrian security forces deploy in Latakia (AP)
Under Assad, Alawites dominated the military and security agencies. Now, they are being targeted as the new government blames Assad loyalists for ongoing attacks. France has condemned the violence, urging independent investigations into the killings.
‘Bodies left unburied in streets’
A wave of retribution killings between Sunni gunmen and members of Assad’s minority Alawite sect has further deepened the crisis. Alawites, who were the backbone of Assad’s support, have faced targeted killings, looting, and arson. Residents described horrifying scenes where gunmen shot Alawites in the streets or at their homes, forcing thousands to flee into the mountains.
In Baniyas, one of the hardest-hit towns, bodies were reportedly left unburied in the streets, with residents unable to retrieve them. Ali Sheha, a 57-year-old resident, told news agency AFP that at least 20 of his neighbours were killed, some in their shops and homes. He described gunmen randomly firing at homes, looting properties, and even checking IDs to identify and execute Alawites.
‘One of the biggest massacres’
By early Saturday, the revenge killings had slowed, but the devastation remained. The Observatory’s chief, Rami Abdurrahman, called it “one of the biggest massacres” of the conflict. While no official figures have been released, earlier reports estimated the death toll at over 600 before it quickly rose above 1,000.
A funeral was held for four Syrian security force members in Al-Janoudiya, attended by scores of mourners. Meanwhile, state media claimed government forces had regained control over key areas, shutting roads to the coastal region to prevent further violence.
In the central village of Tuwaym, 31 victims, including nine children and four women, were buried in a mass grave on Saturday. Lebanese legislator Haidar Nasser reported an influx of Syrian refugees into Lebanon, many seeking shelter at the Russian air base in Hmeimim. He warned that Alawites were being dismissed from jobs and that former soldiers who had reconciled with the new authorities were being executed.
The new government, led by Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has vowed to protect religious and ethnic minorities, despite its past links to al-Qaeda. However, fears of reprisals remain high, particularly among Alawites, who now find themselves the target of violent retribution for Assad’s rule.
Social media posts have documented mass killings, with users reporting family members being “slaughtered” in their homes. The Observatory has also released footage showing bodies in civilian clothing piled outside houses and armed men executing victims at close range.
