The new Syrian government is reported to have killed nearly 340 civilians, notably from the Alawite sect, amid escalating violence related to a recent uprising. This crackdown is the deadliest in the prolonged civil war and has prompted regional support for the new authorities. As the opposition establishes a transitional government, international sanctions and the future of Syria remain contentious topics.
Recent reports from human rights activists indicate that the new Syrian government and its affiliated factions have killed nearly 340 civilians, primarily women and children from the Alawite religious minority, in a span of just days. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group based in the United Kingdom, has characterized this incident as the most lethal outbreak of violence witnessed during Syria’s 13-year civil war. Rami Abdulrahman, the head of the Observatory, highlighted that the government is claiming to target supporters of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who also belongs to the Alawite minority.
The violence escalated following the emergence of an Alawite uprising in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus in early March, allegedly led by former officers of Bashar al-Assad’s army. On March 6, Ghiyas Dala announced the formation of the “Military Council for the Liberation of Syria,” with connections to the Dala Brigade, which has a record for brutality during the previous civil war supporting the Assad regime. The new Syrian government acknowledges certain “violations” during the crackdown, attributing responsibility to uncoordinated armed factions that are exploiting the current turmoil.
Social media platforms are abuzz with numerous videos depicting gruesome executions of Alawite individuals. It remains ambiguous whether the individuals portrayed are rebels or civilians caught in the conflict. In a national address on March 7, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa condemned the violence in Latakia and Tartus, attributing it to “gangs of the overthrown regime” and pledged to completely eradicate them. Al-Sharaa also called on various armed factions involved in the conflict to adhere to command, despite their unofficial status within the newly formed Ministry of Defense.
Regional powers, including Qatar, Jordan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, have expressed support for the actions of the new Syrian authorities in Latakia and Tartus. The foundation for this upheaval was laid on December 8, 2024, when the Syrian opposition successfully overthrew President Bashar al-Assad after 24 years in power, leading to his subsequent flight to Moscow.
The Syrian rebels are in the process of establishing a transitional government, led by Muhammad Bashir of the former “Salvation Government,” set up in opposition-held territories primarily in Idlib. Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Muhammad al-Julani, the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, emphasized that Syria is now war-weary, posing no threats to its neighbors or the West, and is advocating for the lifting of international sanctions imposed on the previous Assad regime. Additionally, at the end of January, the new government took the significant step of dissolving parliament, military groups, and political organizations, with Ahmad al-Sharaa assuming the presidency for the transitional phase.
In summary, the new Syrian government has been implicated in the deaths of approximately 340 civilians amidst a violent crackdown on perceived supporters of Bashar al-Assad. Reports indicate that the ongoing conflict has intensified with a noted Alawite uprising, leading to significant unrest and humanitarian concerns. As regional powers express support for the government, the situation in Syria remains precarious amidst efforts to establish a transitional government and address the repercussions of a long-standing civil war.
Original Source: babel.ua
