Death toll in violence on Syrian coast rises to more than 1,000: War monitor

ICRC expresses deep concern over reports of escalating violence and civilian casualties in Syria's coastal region

UN officials warn of extensive damage inflicted on civilian infrastructure (photo: IANS)
UN officials warn of extensive damage inflicted on civilian infrastructure (photo: IANS)
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The recent clashes in Syria have resulted in a tragic loss of life, with reports indicating that over 1,000 individuals have been killed, including approximately 745 civilians, the AP reported.

The violence erupted between Syrian security forces and loyalists of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad, marking one of the deadliest periods since the conflict began 14 years ago.

The unrest began on Thursday near the coastal city of Jableh, where government forces attempting to detain a wanted individual were ambushed by Assad loyalists. This incident escalated into widespread violence, particularly affecting the Alawite minority, which had been a significant support base for Assad. Reports indicate that many Alawite civilians were executed, and their homes looted and burned, leading thousands to flee to nearby mountains for safety, the AP reported.

Government officials said the ambushes were premeditated, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that of the overall toll, 125 were members of government security forces, and 148 were militants with armed groups loyal to the former regime. However, the numbers could not be independently verified.

The war monitor, meanwhile, warned that the absence of legal accountability could fuel further violence and destabilise post-Assad Syria.

Mustafa Kinivati, head of Latakia's General Security Directorate, reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting national unity and ensuring civilian safety.

"We are fully committed to maintaining civil peace and protecting all citizens -- there will be no tolerance for any violations of this principle," Kinivati was quoted by state TV as saying.

He vowed that authorities would not allow retaliatory violence, stressing that those involved in security breaches -- whether the former regime's loyalists or criminal opportunists -- would be held accountable.

Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed deep concern over reports of escalating violence and civilian casualties in Syria's coastal region, particularly in Latakia and Tartous.

In a statement, Stephan Sakalian, head of the ICRC mission in Syria, called on all parties to take immediate measures to protect civilians and uphold humanitarian principles.

The ICRC urged all sides to respect civilian lives and property at all times and ensure safe passage for those fleeing violence.

It also called on all sides to guarantee access to healthcare facilities and protect medical personnel.

The humanitarian organisation confirmed that it is working closely with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, providing first aid services and evacuating the wounded to medical facilities.

Also on Saturday, UN resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula and Ramesh Rajasingham, director of the coordination division of the UN office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs, issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the latest escalation in Syria.

It noted that a staff member of the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees was among those killed in Jableh on Thursday.

The UN officials warned of extensive damage inflicted on civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, the power supply network, and key roads.

It highlighted the worsening humanitarian situation as ongoing curfews and movement restrictions are preventing access to essential services, emphasising the need for "rapid, safe, and unimpeded humanitarian access" to those in need.

Government forces continued security operations in the coastal region on Saturday, targeting pockets of resistance from Assad's loyalists and calling on the remaining armed fighters to surrender.

Meanwhile, Israel's military has said that it carried out raids in Syria over the past week, seizing missiles and weapons belonging to the Syrian army.

Israeli troops are continuing operations and are deployed "at strategic points in Syria," the military said on Saturday in a statement.

"The troops located, confiscated and dismantled numerous weapons, including rifles, ammunition, missiles, and additional military equipment," it added.

The IDF has described its presence in southern Syria’s buffer zone as a temporary and defensive measure, though defence minister Israel Katz has said that troops will remain deployed to nine army posts in the area "indefinitely".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that southern Syria must be completely demilitarised, warning that Israel would not accept the presence of the forces of the new Syrian Islamist-led government near its territory.

The Arab League (AL) has been following with great concern the security situation in Syria, the pan-Arab body said in a statement.

The AL on Saturday also condemned violence and uncontrolled killing, as well as any external interventions aimed at fueling the internal situation in Syria, Xinhua news agency reported.

The secretary general of the League of Arab States condemned on Saturday acts of violence and targeting of government security forces in Syria.

The Egyptian Ahram Gate website quoted the General Secretariat as saying in a statement on Saturday: "The General Secretariat voices its condemnation of the acts of violence and targeting of government security forces and uncontrolled killing, as well as any external interventions aimed threatening civil peace and exacerbating the challenges facing Syria at the current stage."

"We are following up with great concern the developments of the security situation in the coastal region of Syria, and the confrontations that took place there."

With IANS inputs

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