Tensions rise in Syria’s Alawite heartland as mass killings of civilians occur following recent clashes. Syrian security forces have enhanced their presence to restore order, with reports of nearly 750 civilian deaths attributed to government and allied forces. While there is a reported lull in violence, fears of reprisals persist among the Alawite community.

Syrian security forces have significantly increased their presence in the Alawite regions along the Mediterranean coastline following alarming reports of mass killings targeting the Alawite community. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, approximately 745 civilians from this religious minority have been executed by government forces and their allies in a series of assaults conducted over several days, coinciding with clashes involving loyalists of the deposed president, Bashar al-Assad.

The situation in the Alawite heartland remains precarious amidst escalating violence and retaliatory actions following the recent clashes. Human rights organizations have reported significant civilian casualties, while regional security forces aim to reestablish control and prevent further aggression. The calls for ethnic and religious unity are overshadowed by fears of continued reprisals in this volatile region.

Original Source: www.rfi.fr