The UN human rights chief has called for immediate, thorough, and unbiased investigations into the recent surge of violence in Syria. This escalation began last Thursday when 13 security personnel were ambushed and killed by gunmen in Jableh, a coastal town in Syria. The situation has become dire as reports continue to surface about the alarming extent of the violence.
On Tuesday, Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesperson for the UN human rights office, highlighted the disturbing scale of the ongoing violence. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, reported a civilian death toll that has risen to 1,225. Among those killed recently were 132 individuals, including 62 in Baniyas alone. The violence has particularly devastated Syria's coastal region, where whole families, including women and children, have lost their lives.
Allegations suggest that gunmen supporting the Sunni Islamist-led government have carried out revenge killings following the ambush on the security patrol. These acts have been linked to loyalists of President Bashar al-Assad, who is an Alawite. In response to these events, Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has announced the formation of an independent investigative committee to hold those responsible accountable.
A newly established investigative committee is currently gathering and reviewing evidence, with plans to present a report within 30 days. Yasser Farhan, a spokesperson for the committee, emphasized the importance of accountability, stating:
"No-one is above the law. The committee will relay all the results to the entity that launched it, the presidency, and the judiciary."
The Syrian Red Crescent, assisted by security forces, has been tasked with recovering bodies and burying them in mass graves within the town's cemetery. Reports from monitoring groups indicate that more than 1,200 civilians have been killed in provinces such as Latakia, Tatous, Hama, and Homs, with Alawites being disproportionately affected.
The violence marks the most severe in Syria since Ahmad al-Sharaa led an offensive that overthrew Assad in December, ending a 13-year civil war that claimed over 600,000 lives. The UN's documentation reveals that many victims were subject to summary executions seemingly based on sectarian motives. Predominantly Alawite areas have been targeted, with Assad loyalists accused of raiding hospitals in Latakia, Tartous, and Baniyas.
In a statement reflecting the severity of these incidents, Thameen Al-Kheetan said:
"In a number of extremely disturbing instances, entire families – including women, children and individuals hors de combat – were killed, with predominantly Alawite cities and villages targeted in particular."
The UN has documented the killings of 90 male civilians, 18 women, two girls, and one boy using strict verification methods. Initial findings indicate that members of armed groups supporting security forces and elements associated with the Assad regime were responsible for these atrocities.
Survivors like Hind have shared harrowing experiences of sectarian violence and discrimination:
"They see us as guilty just because our president was Alawite. But the truth is we are the poorest. Our young men joined the military only to be taken to fight and to be killed."
Another witness described how attackers identified their victims based on religious affiliation before executing them:
"One of them asked his friend about our religion. He said, 'They are Alawites,' so he pointed his gun and killed all the men in front of him."
As Syria grapples with this new wave of violence and loss, the international community watches closely. The UN remains committed to ensuring justice for victims and their families.
"All those found responsible for violations must be held to account, regardless of their affiliation, in line with international law norms and standards. Victims and their families have the right to truth, justice and reparations." – Thameen Al-Kheetan
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