In one of the deadliest acts of violence in Syria, over a 1,000 people have been killed in clashes between security forces and loyalists of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, reported the Associated Press.
The violence erupted on Thursday, after gunmen in favour of the current government started “revenge killings” against the Alawite minority sect which was loyal to former President Assad.
The violence has temporarily stopped, and the the government has regained control over most areas. Authorities have closed all roads leading to the coastal region, where the violence is concentrated, to restore stability.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that 745 civilians were killed during the clashes between groups, mostly in shootings from close distance.125 government security force members and 148 militants with armed groups affiliated with Assad were also killed.
Under Assad’s rule, Alawites had enjoyed high ranking posts in the military and other positions of privilege. However, with the new regime coming into force, three months ago, the Alawite have been repeatedly targeted for their association to the former President.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights added that along with the violence, electricity and drinking water had also been cut off for several Alawite majority areas in the city of Latakia.
