Syria’s temporary leader has issued a plea for harmony amidst ongoing violence and revenge killings in regions supportive of deposed former leader Bashar al-Assad on Sunday. Reports indicate that hundreds of individuals have fled their residences in the coastal areas of Latakia and Tartus, known as strongholds of support for Assad. Local residents have recounted incidents of looting and widespread violence, including against children.
In Hai Al Kusour, a predominantly Alawite neighborhood in the coastal town of Banias, eyewitnesses describe the streets as littered with bodies, some piled up and drenched in blood. Men of varying ages were reportedly shot dead in the area. The Alawite community, a branch of Shia Islam comprising about 10% of Syria’s population, has been linked with Assad, who also belongs to this sect.
Fear has gripped the people, prompting many to avoid even looking out of their windows on Friday. Amidst unstable internet connectivity, news of neighbors’ deaths was learned through Facebook posts. One resident, Ayman Fares, shared his harrowing experience with the BBC, recounting how his recent imprisonment saved him from death. Fares had criticized Assad’s corrupt governance in a video posted on Facebook in August 2023. Subsequently, he was arrested and detained until Islamist-led groups liberated prisoners following Assad’s downfall in December.
Fares recognized the unfamiliar armed groups that entered Hai Al Kusour as possibly Uzbek or Chechen, accompanied by some Syrians unaffiliated with official security forces. He recounted instances of families being brutally killed in their homes, with women and children not spared. Some sought refuge on rooftops but were tragically slain. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in the UK, documented over 740 civilian deaths in Latakia, Jableh, and Banias, along with 300 security personnel and remnants of the former regime perishing in confrontations.
Fares noted a sense of stability upon the arrival of Syrian army and security forces in Banias, who reportedly expelled rival factions and facilitated safe passage for families. Another resident, Ali, supported Fares’ narrative, disclosing that he and his family, residing in Kusour, were aided by security forces to escape the tumult. Alawites, Sunnis, and Christians had coexisted peacefully in the area until the recent turmoil unfolded, prompting Sunnis to shield Alawites from harm. Ali underscored the current efforts of official forces to reinstate order in the community.
A group of individuals recently affected by violence is being relocated to a school in a Sunni-majority neighborhood for their safety, until the perpetrators are removed from the area. The violence erupted following clashes between Assad loyalists and security forces in Latakia and Jableh, resulting in casualties on both sides. Ghiath Dallah, a former brigadier general in Assad’s army, has declared a rebellion against the current government by establishing the “Military Council for the Liberation of Syria.” Reports indicate that former security officers loyal to Assad who have retained their weapons are forming a resistance group in the mountains. However, many in the Alawite community disapprove of these actions, attributing the violence to Dallah and other hardline Assad loyalists. Calls for accountability and prosecution of the perpetrators have been made, with a plea for official security to be restored in the country. The interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa is also under scrutiny for dismantling Syria’s security apparatus without a clear plan for the future employment of personnel. The economic hardship facing the majority of Syria’s population has created fertile ground for unrest. While widespread condemnation of civilian casualties has been expressed, there are also reports of calls for “Jihad” in various regions. Sectarian tensions between Sunnis and the Alawite minority have long existed, with accusations of atrocities committed by Alawite security forces during Assad’s rule. The Sunnis are now seeking justice for the crimes perpetrated by the regime, as tensions continue to escalate. Ahmad al-Sharaa is facing the challenging task of ensuring safety for all citizens while pursuing justice for past atrocities. The presence of foreign fighters with extremist ideologies further complicates the situation. Achieving a safe and democratic future for Syria will require addressing these issues and establishing a constitution that upholds the rights of all Syrians, irrespective of background or religion. Balancing these competing interests presents a formidable obstacle for Sharaa as he navigates the complex political landscape of post-conflict Syria.
As a journalist, you are expected to adhere to ethical standards in your reporting. Your task is to rewrite the provided news article in your own distinctive style, ensuring it is no longer than 900 words.
