Death Toll Exceeds 1,000 in Ongoing Violent Clashes in Syria

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The death toll from two days of intense fighting between security forces and loyalists of ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad, along with subsequent revenge killings, has risen to more than 1,000, with nearly 750 civilians among the dead. This marks one of the deadliest outbreaks of violence in Syria in recent times. According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, in addition to 745 civilian casualties, 125 members of the government security forces and 148 militants from groups loyal to Assad were also killed.

The violence, which erupted in several areas, has resulted in severe disruptions, including the cutting off of drinking water in large parts of the coastal city of Latakia. Additionally, many bakeries have shut down, exacerbating the hardship for residents.

Government Claims of Defensive Actions

The Syrian government has stated that its forces were responding to attacks from remnants of Assad’s loyalists. Authorities have blamed “individual actions” for the widespread violence. This conflict represents a significant escalation in the challenges faced by the new government in Damascus, just three months after insurgents ousted Assad and took control of the country.

The violence includes revenge killings by Sunni Muslim gunmen loyal to the government, targeting members of Assad's Alawite sect. These killings are considered a severe blow to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the militant faction that led the effort to overthrow the former government. The Alawite sect had long been a key support base for Assad’s regime.

Horrors of the Ongoing Conflict

Residents of Alawite villages and towns, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity, described horrifying scenes of violence. In Baniyas, one of the towns hardest hit, bodies were left in the streets or unburied in homes and on rooftops. One resident reported that gunmen prevented the collection of the bodies of five neighbors killed on Friday. Another 57-year-old resident, who fled the area with his family, reported at least 20 deaths in one neighborhood, many occurring in shops or homes.

Road Closures and Attempts to Regain Control

In an effort to regain control, Syria's state news agency reported that government forces have retaken much of the territory previously held by Assad’s loyalists. Additionally, authorities have closed all roads leading to the coastal region, claiming the measure is necessary to prevent violations and gradually restore stability to the area.