More than 1,000 people have been killed in Syria amid fierce clashes between anti-government groups and security forces, coupled with a series of “revenge killings.” The surge in violence marks one of the bloodiest episodes in Syria since the civil war began 14 years ago.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the death toll includes 745 civilians, 125 government security force members, and 148 militants aligned with pro-Bashar al-Assad groups.
The violence comes just months after Syria’s long-time leader, Bashar al-Assad, was ousted by rebel groups in December. Hopes for a stable future in Syria are now overshadowed by the renewed unrest.
Recent Clashes
On Thursday (March 6), pro-Assad militias launched attacks on government forces in the coastal city of Jableh, a region dominated by the Alawite community — a Shia sect to which Assad belongs. The militias targeted security patrols and checkpoints, resulting in 13 fatalities among government personnel.
In response, government security forces cracked down harshly, killing scores of civilians. Armed Sunni fighters reportedly joined the violence, targeting Alawite civilians in what appears to be retaliation for past atrocities under the Assad regime.
In a televised address on Friday, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa urged restraint. “Security forces should not allow anyone to exaggerate in their response… because what differentiates us from our enemy is our commitment to our values,” Sharaa stated. Despite his appeal, violence persisted.
Reports from Alawite villages describe gunmen attacking residents, with many men shot in the streets or at their homes. Witnesses recounted incidents of looting and arson in predominantly Alawite areas, according to the Associated Press.
Background to Syria’s Conflict
Syria’s unrest dates back to 2011, when the Arab Spring uprisings swept across West Asia. While Sunnis form the majority in Syria, power had long been concentrated in the hands of the Alawite minority under the Assad family’s rule. Economic inequality, unemployment, and rising prices fueled the protests, which escalated into a brutal civil war as Assad’s forces cracked down on dissenters.
The conflict was further complicated by the involvement of foreign powers, including the US, Israel, Turkey, Iran, and Russia, all backing different factions. Following Assad’s fall, Israel launched airstrikes in Syria to prevent advanced weaponry from falling into hostile hands.
On Sunday, Sharaa called for peace, emphasizing the need for national unity. “We have to preserve national unity and domestic peace… Rest assured about Syria, this country has the characteristics for survival,” he said in a video message.
However, with minorities deeply distrustful of the new Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) regime, and multiple armed groups with competing agendas still active, Syria’s path to stability remains uncertain.