At least 745 Alawite civilians have been executed by Syrian security forces and allied fighters in the past two days, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Witnesses have described harrowing scenes of bodies lying in the streets, while homes have been looted and set ablaze in a wave of sectarian violence across Syria’s coastal regions.
The mass killings come amid escalating clashes between security forces and remnants of fighters loyal to former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. The violence, which erupted on Thursday, has led to the deaths of at least 1,018 people, including 125 security personnel and 148 pro-Assad fighters, according to SOHR.
The killings, described as “executions” by the Britain-based monitor, have mainly taken place in Latakia and the surrounding mountainous regions, where Syria’s Alawite minority has long resided. Residents of Baniyas, one of the worst-hit towns, say armed groups have been targeting Alawites in apparent revenge attacks for decades of Alawite dominance under Assad’s rule.
Ali Sheha, a 57-year-old resident of Baniyas who fled with his family, described how gunmen stormed Alawite neighbourhoods, killing men at close range, looting homes, and setting them on fire.
“It was very, very bad. Bodies were on the streets,” Sheha said. He recounted how gunmen demanded to see residents’ identification cards, executing them if they were found to be Alawite. “This was one of the biggest massacres during the Syrian conflict,” said Rami Abdurrahman, director of SOHR.
The escalating violence has prompted urgent appeals from international humanitarian organisations. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called for safe access to provide aid to the affected regions.
“All parties must ensure unimpeded access to health care and the protection of medical facilities. First responders and humanitarian workers must be allowed safe access to provide medical aid and transport the wounded and dead,” the ICRC said in a statement posted on social media.
In several towns, bodies have been left unburied for days due to the ongoing violence. Residents reported that gunmen prevented families from collecting their loved ones’ remains. In the village of Tuwaym, the bodies of 31 people—including nine children and four women—were buried in a mass grave on Saturday morning.
Syria’s government has responded by intensifying security operations and imposing lockdowns in affected areas. The state-run news agency reported that authorities had “regained control” of several regions and closed all roads leading to the coast “to prevent violations and gradually restore stability.”
Schools in Latakia and Tartus have been shut for at least two days due to the “unstable security conditions,” officials announced.
As the violence spirals, many Alawite families have fled their homes. Lebanese legislator Haidar Nasser, who represents the Alawite minority in parliament, said many were seeking refuge in Lebanon. Others have reportedly taken shelter at Russia’s Hmeimim airbase in Syria.
“The international community must protect Alawites, who are Syrian citizens loyal to their country,” Nasser said, warning that those who had reconciled with the new government were being targeted.
The recent escalation underscores the deep sectarian divisions that have defined Syria’s long-running conflict. Under Assad, Alawites held key positions in the military and government. Since his ousting three months ago, they have faced growing reprisals from Sunni factions now in power.
The latest wave of violence was reportedly triggered when government forces attempted to detain a wanted individual near Jableh, only to be ambushed by Assad loyalists.
With the death toll rising and civilians trapped in besieged areas, international organisations are calling for immediate intervention to prevent further atrocities. However, with access restricted and tensions at a boiling point, Syria’s coastal regions remain on the brink of further bloodshed.
