Syria launches probe into mass Alawite killings after international backlash

Syria’s government announced a probe on Sunday following the killing of Alawite civilians, which has sparked international condemnation amid the worst violence since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over 1,000 Alawite civilians were killed in four days in “executions” carried out by security forces or pro-government fighters in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus.

The Syrian presidency said on Telegram that an “independent committee” has been formed to “investigate the violations against civilians and identify those responsible,” who will be brought to justice.

The counteroffensive against Assad loyalists in the predominantly Alawite coastal region caused widespread destruction in several cities and towns. Rights groups reported numerous revenge killings by Sunni militants targeting the Alawite minority, regardless of their involvement in the insurgency.

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United Nations rights chief Volker Turk said the killings “must cease immediately”, while the Arab League, the United Nations, the United States, Britain and other governments have condemned the violence.

Clashes between the new security forces and loyalists of the former government erupted on Thursday, after earlier tensions.

The violence is in the heartland of the Alawite minority to which Assad belongs and has escalated into reported mass killings.

Earlier Sunday, Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa had appealed for national unity.

“God willing, we will be able to live together in this country,” Sharaa said from a Damascus mosque.

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The fighting has also killed 231 members of the security forces and 250 pro-Assad fighters, according to the Observatory, taking the overall death toll to 1,311.

The interior ministry said on Sunday that government forces were conducting “sweeping operations” in an area of Tartus province to “pursue the remnants of the toppled regime”.

State news agency SANA quoted a defence ministry source as saying there were clashes in Tanita village in the same area.

With inputs from agencies