Clashes resume in Syria... At least 300 people have lost their lives: What is the latest situation in the region?

12punto FOREIGN NEWS

The clashes in the Syrian cities of Latakia and Tartus have escalated tensions in the region. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has alleged that dozens of people belonging to the Alawite minority were executed in the coastal region of Latakia. While the SOHR stated the death toll at 162, international media reported that this figure has reached 340. It was noted that the forces loyal to the new regime did not target only Alawites. According to the allegations, militants affiliated with the Transitional Government carried out attacks on civilians 'indiscriminately'.

The clashes began on March 6 when residents of the village of Beit Ana refused to hand over a 'suspect' to security forces. Following the tension in the village, security forces loyal to the Damascus administration launched an operation in the area. Meanwhile, opposition forces attacked government soldiers. Following the increase in attacks, more than 55,000 militants and 'security personnel' affiliated with the Transitional Government were dispatched to the region.

According to the report by the official Syrian news agency SANA, an interior ministry official acknowledged that 'individual violations' had occurred in the region and promised to put an end to this situation. The execution allegations have not been independently verified by international media.

On social media, it was claimed that pro-new regime groups might have killed a much larger number of people. The SOHR determined the death toll by calculating incidents it had 'definitively verified'. During the night connecting March 7 to March 8, a transparent flow of information could not be provided from the region.

ALLEGATIONS OF MASS EXECUTIONS

International media underscored that the actual death toll has not yet been determined. On the other hand, reports in the foreign press stated that elements loyal to the new regime carried out 'executions' targeting not only Alawites but everyone living in the areas where the clashes took place.

In the BBC's report on the events in Syria, it was stated that the clashes, which are effective in Latakia and Tartus, have turned into the largest acts of violence in the country since the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad on December 8. Pro-former regime forces seized some military points in the region and engaged in clashes in the center of Jableh.

The French news agency AFP reported that the SOHR stated that 13 women and 5 children were among those who lost their lives. The authenticity of two videos showing a body being dragged while tied to a car in Latakia was confirmed by the BBC.

A Syrian activist in Latakia, in a statement to the BBC, stated that the acts of violence have left the Alawite community 'in terror' and used the following expressions:

'They are extremely afraid. They are in a state of great shock. They don't know what to do. There is no government or state to protect them.'

INTERNATIONAL REACTIONS TO THE EVENTS

Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli stated in a post on his X account that they are against any action that targets the right of Syrians to live in peace and prosperity. Emphasizing that ''such provocations should not be allowed to become a threat to the peace of Syria and the region,'' Keçeli announced that they support the new Syrian government.

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the 'crimes committed by illegal groups' and the 'targeting of security forces.' The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed that they were 'shocked' by the clashes and called on all parties for a peaceful solution.

United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen stated that reports of civilian casualties have caused 'deep concern' and called on the parties to exercise restraint.

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the events and stated that civilians should not be harmed. On the other hand, according to allegations in the Iraqi press, Iraqi intelligence called on the government to intervene in Syria following the events.

STATEMENTS FROM THE SHARA ADMINISTRATION

Latakia Governorate Public Order Director Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Knefati reported that in a 'pre-planned and deliberate' attack, several groups of Assad militias attacked checkpoints and targeted numerous patrols in the Jableh region. A curfew was declared in the cities of Homs, Latakia, and Tartus. The governor of Latakia announced that all electricity in the region had been cut off.

Syrian Transitional President Ahmed al-Shara, making statements to Reuters, claimed that the clashes had been brought under control and expressed the following:

'We will continue to pursue the remnants of the ousted regime. We will try them fairly. Weapons will only be in the hands of the state.'

The interim administration authorities argued that the acts of violence were 'exceptional situations' and emphasized that the perpetrators would be punished.

News Source: 12punto