Syria’s Bloody Uprising: 69 Alawite Minority Members "Executed" by Security Forces
DAMASCUS: A Syrian war monitor said on Friday that security forces "executed" 69 members of the Alawite minority, a day after deadly clashes with gunmen loyal to toppled president Bashar al-Assad.
Violence Erupts in Latakia
Thursday’s violence saw the fiercest attacks on the country’s new authorities since Assad was ousted in a lightning offensive by Islamist-led rebels in December.
Eyewitness Accounts
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that security forces "executed 69 Alawite men in the towns of Al-Shir and Al-Mukhtariya in the Latakia countryside." The organization’s reporting was based on videos it verified, as well as testimonies it received from relatives of the dead.
Footage of Executions
The SOHR and activists released footage showing dozens of bodies in civilian clothing piled in the yard of a house, with blood stains nearby and women wailing. In another clip, men in military garb appear to order three people to crawl on the ground behind each other before opening fire on them at close range. A third video shared by the SOHR showed a fighter in military garb shooting a man at close range at the entrance of a building, killing him. The authenticity of the images could not be independently verified.
Reactions and Condemnations
An interior ministry source later told state news agency Sana that "individual violations" had occurred on the coast and pledged to put a stop to them. "After remnants of the toppled regime assassinated a number of security personnel, popular unorganised masses headed to the coast, which led to a number of individual violations," the source said. "We are working to put a stop to these violations that do not represent the Syrian people as a whole."
Security Operation
Syria’s new authorities had earlier launched a sweeping security operation after Thursday’s clashes left at least 78 people dead. A curfew was imposed until Saturday in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, heartland of the ousted president’s Alawite religious minority. Security forces began what official news agency Sana described as a "large-scale" operation in the two provinces, following the arrival of reinforcements. The operation "targeted remnants of Assad’s militias and those who supported them," a security official cited by Sana said, as he called on civilians to "stay in their homes."
Casualties and Wounded
According to the SOHR’s latest toll, at least 147 people have been killed since the clashes erupted on Thursday. This includes 78 people killed in the fighting – 37 members of the security forces, 34 gunmen, and seven civilians. The SOHR also reported dozens of people wounded and others taken prisoner by both sides.
Reactions from Regional Powers
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its support for the new authorities, as did neighbouring Turkey.
Conclusion
The conflict in Syria continues to rage on, with violence and bloodshed becoming increasingly commonplace. The execution of 69 Alawite minority members by security forces is just the latest in a long line of atrocities committed by all sides in the conflict. As the fighting continues, it is imperative that regional and international powers work towards a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current situation in Syria?
A: The situation in Syria remains volatile, with ongoing violence and bloodshed reported across the country.
Q: What is the latest on the conflict in Latakia?
A: Clashes between security forces and gunmen loyal to former president Bashar al-Assad have resulted in at least 78 deaths, with reports of widespread human rights abuses.
Q: What is the response of regional powers to the crisis?
A: Saudi Arabia and Turkey have reaffirmed their support for the new authorities in Syria, while other regional powers have called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.