The international alarm is developing in fighting in western Syria, where hundreds of civilians have been killed in the midst of intense confrontations between the new government of the country and the loyalists of the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad. Pro-government forces have been accused of having killed dozens of residents in the greenness massacres.
In an update on Saturday, the Syrian Human Rights Observatory, a war instructor based in the United Kingdom that follows the victims, reported that 1,018 people had been killed in the last two days, including 745 civilians who, according to them, had been killed in “sectarian massacres” by fighters faithful to the new government.
The reports have not been confirmed independently by ABC News.
The smoke increases while the members of Syrian forces roll on a vehicle while they fight against an emerging insurrection by fighters from the Allawite section of the ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, in Lataquise, Syria, March 7, 2025. Reuters / Karam Al-Masri TPX Images of the day
Karam Al-Masri / Reuters
The fighting – The worst violence since Assad was overthrown three months ago – seized areas on the west coast of Syria, in the former Heartland of Assad around Latakia and Tartus where the Loyalist armed men of Assad took ambushes on Thursday of the security forces of the new government.
Parents and neighbors attend the funeral procession for four members of the Syrian security force killed during conflicts with loyalists of the President ousted Bashar Assad in coastal Syria, in the village of Al-Janoudiya, west of Idlib, Saturday March 8, 2025. (Photo / Omar Albam)
Omar Albam / AP
New government security forces, as well as thousands of pro-government armed fighters, spilled in the region, colliding with loyalists.
The coastal zone houses the Alaouite minority to which Assad belonged and which are now the targets of the massacres of mass reported.
The Associated Press spoke with the residents of the villages and cities of Alawite, who said that armed men had achieved murders of Alawites revenge, mainly men, in the streets. They said that some houses had been looted and set fire.
The members of the Syrian security forces check a car while they fight against an emerging insurrection by fighters from the Allawite section of the ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, in Latakia, Syria on March 7, 2025. Reuters / Karam al-Masri
Karam Al-Masri / Reuters
In addition to the civilian victims, the War Monitor reported that 125 members of the government security forces had been killed with 148 activists associated with the loyalists.
In addition, electricity and drinking water have been widely cut in neighboring areas for the second consecutive day, the observatory said. Given breakdowns and the “deterioration of the security situation”, the bakeries and the markets have also closed, said the observatory.
Friday, the acting chief of Syria, Ahmed Al-Shara, addressed the country, accusing violence against people faithful to the old regime and saying that they were trying to test the new Syria by arousing disorders and fragmentation. He called for his calm and ordered his security forces not to allow excess. He said that anyone who harms civilians would be held responsible.
The staff of the Syrian army come together as they head towards Latakia to join the fight against combatants linked to the ousted chief of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, in Aleppo, Syria, March 7, 2025. Reuters / Mahmoud Hassano
Mahmoud Hassano / Reuters
The representative of the United Kingdom for Syria, Ann Snow called for restraint.
“Deeply disturbing developments – retained and also a clear path to responsibility And transitional justice are essential to the peaceful inclusive political transition that all Syrians deserve, “she said In a post on x Friday.
