Syria is erupting in violence once more as a new government takes on forces loyal to ousted dictator Bashar al-Assad. The bloodiest fighting since Assad’s fall has claimed over 1,000 civilian lives in just days, with the Alawite minority bearing the brunt of what some are calling sectarian revenge killings.
Remember when Tulsi Gabbard said this would happen and the media went nuts at her?
At a glance:
- Over 1,000 civilians have been killed in western Syria, most from the Alawite minority
- Violence is the worst since Assad was toppled three months ago in December
- Clashes concentrated in former Assad strongholds of Latakia and Tartus
- Many deaths described as “sectarian massacres” by fighters loyal to the new government
- Residents report revenge killings, looting, and arson targeting Alawite communities
Bloody Revenge Against Assad Loyalists
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 1,068 civilians have been killed since Thursday in Syria’s western coast region. The majority of victims belong to the Alawite sect, the same religious minority as former dictator Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown in December after decades of brutal rule.
The violence represents the most significant challenge yet for Syria’s new government, which is struggling to establish control across the fractured nation. Fighters loyal to the new government have reportedly carried out what the Observatory described as “sectarian massacres,” particularly targeting communities perceived as supportive of the former regime.
Civilians Caught in Deadly Crossfire
The fighting has been concentrated in Syria’s Mediterranean coastal region, particularly in Latakia and Tartus provinces, longtime strongholds of Assad’s support. Reports indicate the violence began after Alawite gunmen ambushed and killed 16 government security forces in Latakia, triggering a massive military response and the imposition of curfews in major cities.
According to various sources, the death toll includes not only civilians but also 125 government security forces and 148 loyalist militants. Electricity and water outages have been reported throughout the affected areas, leading to the closure of essential services like bakeries and markets, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis.
“Deeply worrying developments – restraint & also a clear path to accountability & transitional justice are essential to the peaceful inclusive political transition all Syrians deserve,” said Ann Snow, a United Nations representative commenting on the situation.
New Government Struggles to Maintain Order
Syria’s interim leader, Ahmed Al-Shara, has publicly blamed the violence on loyalists of the old regime and called for calm and accountability. The new government, led by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham that was responsible for ousting Assad, faces significant challenges in protecting minority groups, particularly Alawites.
Human rights monitors have emphasized that the Alawite gunmen loyal to Assad do not represent the entire Alawite community, many of whom reportedly desire peace. The lack of an official police force or army has hampered the new government’s ability to maintain order and prevent retribution against those perceived as having supported the former dictator.
With no international intervention in sight, the situation remains volatile as reports of burning homes, forced displacement, and executions continue to emerge from the region. The violence threatens to derail any hope for stability in a nation already devastated by years of civil war under the Assad regime.
