pgbbqq Syria Revenge Killing: What Triggered the Violence That Killed Over a 1000
Syrian security forces and Assad loyalists clashed leading to more than a 1,000 people dead Photo: | AP Omar albam Syrian security forces and Assad loyalists clashed leading to more than a 1,000 people dead Photo: | AP Omar albam In Syria's coastal region, clashes between government security forces and gunmen loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad have escalated, pushing the death toll from two days of fighting and revenge killings to more than 1,000. A war monitoring group said on Saturday that the violence was one of the deadliest incidents since Syria's conflict began 14 years ago.
According to the Associated Press, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that in addition to the 745 civilian deaths, most of them from close-range gunfire, 125 government security force members and 148 militants from armed groups linked to Assad were killed. It added that electricity and drinking water had been cut off in large areas around the city of Latakia.
Here's What We Know So Far:Where Did the Clashes Happen?
Clashes broke out on Thursday, in the provinces of Latakia and Tartus on Syria's Mediterranean coast, which is home to the country's Alawite minority and a bastion of support for ousted President Al-Assad.
About 10 percent of Syrians are Alawite, which is connected to Shia community in Islam. The Assad family, who ruled in Syria for almost five decades, is Alawite.
The government has said it was responding to attacks by remnants of Assad's forces and blamed 'individual actions' for the widespread violence.
Also Read | Iran In Trouble After The Fall Of Assad?
Retaliatory Killings Between Sunnis And Alawites
The retaliatory killings that began on Friday were carried out by Sunni Muslim government-loyalist gunmen against supporters of Assad's minority Alawite sect, dealing a major blow to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that overthrew the old government. The Alawite community has long been a crucial component of Assad's base.
Alawite villagers and town residents interviewed by the Associated Press described killings in which gunmen shot Alawites,66br casino most of them men, in the streets or at the gates of their homes. Many Alawite homes were also looted and burned in various locations.
Who Are The Assad Loyalist And What They Want?
Assad loyalists, primarily Alawites, are taking up arms in response to attacks against Alawite civilians and districts and aim to protect their interests and remain influential in the region.
The loyalists are concentrated in the Alawite-governed provinces of Tartus and Latakia.
Read More | Assads And The Alawites: End Of The Old Guard In Syria
Who Are The Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham?
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is a Sunni Islamist rebel organisation led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. They operate primarily in Syria's northwestern Idlib province. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was instrumental in undermining Bashar al-Assad's government and helped bring down a number of strategic strongholds.
Kalle Rovanpera secured victory in the Rally of Kenya, while Sebastien Ogier is riding high on his recent triumph in Croatia. Nevertheless, Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans, who have consistently finished within the top four positions in all rallies, remain the top two contenders as Rovanpera and Ogier are only contesting for a limited period this season.
As the conflict erupts in Syria, the question is whether Hayat Tahrir al-Sham will be able to maintain itself, having played a large role in undermining Bashar al-Assad's regime, which ultimately toppled his 50-year rule.
Reports From Syrian Officials Suggest Govt Forces Regaining Ground
According to Syria's state news agency, government troops have retaken most of the territory from Assad loyalists. It stated that authorities have shut down all roads leading to the coastal area "to prevent violations and slowly restore stability".
Saturday morning saw the remains of 31 individuals who died in retaliatory attacks the previous day in the central village of Tuwaym buried in a mass grave, as per the media reports.
Lebanese legislator Haidar Nasser, who holds one of the two seats allocated to the Alawite sect in parliament, said that people were fleeing from Syria for safety in Lebanon.
The most recent clashes started when government forces reportedly tried to detain a wanted person near the coastal city of Jablehpgbbqq, and were ambushed by Assad loyalists.