The mass killings followed clashes sparked by the arrest of a wanted suspect in a predominantly Alawite village, the Observatory said, reporting a “relative return to calm” in the coastal region on Saturday.
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Syria’s government announced a probe on Sunday following the killing of Alawite civilians, which has sparked international condemnation amid the worst violence since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over
1,000 Alawite civilians were killed in four days in “executions” carried out by security forces or pro-government fighters in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus.
The Syrian presidency said on Telegram that an “independent committee” has been formed to “investigate the violations against civilians and identify those responsible,” who will be brought to justice.
The counteroffensive against Assad loyalists in the predominantly Alawite coastal region caused widespread destruction in several cities and towns. Rights groups reported numerous revenge killings by Sunni militants targeting the Alawite minority, regardless of their involvement in the insurgency.
United Nations rights chief Volker Turk said the killings “must cease immediately”, while the Arab League, the United Nations, the United States, Britain and other governments have condemned the violence.
Clashes between the new s