Hundreds of people have been killed in violent clashes in Syria, months after rebels toppled the country’s government.
Loyalists of ousted former President Bashar al-Assad launched an attack on the new government in the country’s west earlier this month.
Militants associated with the rebel government struck back over the weekend.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) alleges these militants have carried out revenge killings of civilians from an ethnic minority in the region.
Assad
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ruled the country from 2000 to 2024, following his father’s 29-year rule. Following peaceful protests against Assad’s government in 2011, known as the ‘Arab Spring’, the regime killed protesters and other civilians.
In December, a coalition of armed rebel groups toppled the government, and Assad fled to Russia.
The coalition was led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist extremist organisation designated as a terrorist group by Australia. HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa took over as President.
Violence
Violence erupted on Thursday, when armed Assad supporters attacked government security officers at official checkpoints on Syria’s western coast.
The Assad loyalists later seized control of Qardaha — the former President’s hometown.
In response, supporters of the new government reportedly joined the security forces in a violent crackdown.
SOHR has accused these fighters of targeting the Alawite ethnic minority.
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The Alawite community makes up about 10% of Syria’s population. While HTS and the new government is affiliated with the Sunni branch of Islam, the Alawites are affiliated with the Shi’ite branch.
The Assad family is part of this group, and many of its members formed part of their regime.
According to SOHR, at least 973 civilians have been killed in the ongoing violence between the two groups so far.
The organisation has also reported government forces looting and burning homes in Alawite villages.
Investigations
In a speech on Sunday, Al-Sharaa announced a “fact-finding committee” to investigate “all those involved in the bloodshed of civilians”.
Al-Sharaa mainly referred to the Assad loyalists in his speech, calling on them to “surrender to the law immediately”.
“Syria will remain steadfast, and we will not allow any foreign forces or local parties to drag it into chaos or civil war,” he added.
United Nations
The United Nations said it has received “extremely disturbing reports” of killings by both sides.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has urged the President to take “all necessary measures” to protect civilians while authorities investigate human rights violations.
“Those responsible must be held to account, in line with international law norms and standards. Groups terrorising civilians must also be held accountable,” Türk said.
