Syrian Conflict Kills Hundreds of Civilians
Syrian leader Ahmed Sharaa has called for peace following days of clashes in which Syrian security forces are alleged to have killed hundreds of civilians from the Alawite religious minority. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that about 745 civilians were killed in 30 'massacres' targeting Alawites in coastal regions on Friday and Saturday. The BBC has not independently verified the death toll, believed to be the worst since the fall of the Assad regime. Speaking from a mosque in Damascus on Sunday, President Sharaa stated that current events are within expected challenges. Over the past four days, the total death toll has exceeded 1,000, including about 125 fighters linked to the new Islamist-led government and 148 pro-Assad fighters. The violence was sparked by an ambush on government forces, escalating into clashes between Assad loyalists and government troops. Hundreds of civilians have fled their homes in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, former strongholds of deposed President Bashar al-Assad, who is also an Alawite. The UN's special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed deep alarm over civilian casualties and called on all parties to refrain from actions that could destabilize the country.