Over 1,000 dead in 2 days of clashes, revenge killings in Syria

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that among the dead were 745 civilians, mostly killed at close range, along with 125 government security personnel and 148 militants linked to Assad.

By: Express Web Desk

Updated: March 9, 2025 08:07 AM IST

3 min read

Syrian government forces are deployed amid heightened security in Damascus, Syria. (Photo: AP)

More than 1,000 people have died in two days of violence in Syria, according to a war monitoring group, as reported by Associated Press (AP). Clashes between government forces and supporters of former President Bashar Assad, followed by revenge killings, have led to one of the deadliest incidents in the country’s 14-year conflict.

Deadly clashes and retaliation

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that among the dead were 745 civilians, mostly killed at close range, along with 125 government security personnel and 148 militants linked to Assad.

Large parts of Latakia province were left without electricity and drinking water.

Relatives and neighbours mourn during the funeral procession for four Syrian security force members killed in clashes with loyalists of ousted President Bashar Assad in coastal Syria, in the village of Al-Janoudiya, west of Idlib. (AP)

Fighting broke out on Thursday as security forces attempted to detain a wanted individual near Jableh but were ambushed by Assad loyalists, according to the Observatory, reported AP.

Targeting of Alawite communities

Revenge attacks escalated on Friday, with Sunni Muslim gunmen, loyal to the government, targeting Alawites, Assad’s minority sect. The violence is a major challenge for Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that helped overthrow Assad.

Also read | Clashes in Syria between government forces, Assad loyalists kill more than 200

Residents described brutal killings in Alawite villages. Speaking to AP, Ali Sheha, a 57-year-old from Baniyas, said, “Bodies were on the streets. The gunmen were less than 100 metres away, firing at homes and residents.”

He said attackers checked people’s IDs to confirm their sect before killing them.

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Village male residents pray during the funeral of four Syrian security force members killed in clashes with loyalists of ousted President Bashar Assad in coastal Syria, in the village of Al-Janoudiya, west of Idlib. (AP)

International reactions and regaining control

Syria’s government said it has regained most areas taken by Assad loyalists. France condemned the violence, with its foreign ministry stating, “Paris condemns in the strongest possible terms atrocities committed against civilians on religious grounds.”

Meanwhile, thousands of Alawites have fled, with many taking refuge at Russia’s Hmeimim airbase. Lebanese legislator Haidar Nasser told AP, “The international community should protect Alawites, who are Syrian citizens loyal to their country.”

(with inputs from AP)

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