The outlet reports that there have been what appear to be retaliation attacks from the new country's government. The violence has raised concerns that the already unstable region could devolve further into chaos as the government forces crack down.
The BBC reported that the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights recorded at least 162 civilians "field executions" taking place in Syria as the crackdown from the government has come about.
Defense Minister Israel Katz shared a video on X with men's bodies piled up, some with their pants pulled down, in Syria. Other have been posted to the platform, appearing to show civilians being forced to bark like dogs.
Human Events host Jack Posobiec wrote of the videos online, “There are now videos coming out of Syria of entire families being slaughtered in their homes. Women and children. The new Islamist President of Syria is silent as his forces go door to door conducting ethnic killing.”
Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who took power following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad, vowed that the government would pursue “remnants” of the Assad regime and bring them to trial.
The reported executions come amid ongoing clashes between government forces and Assad-loyalist fighters, which have resulted in over 70 deaths. The cities of Homs, Latakia, and Tartous, where violence has intensified, have implemented curfews. The governor of Latakia also confirmed that power to the province had been cut.
"They are feeling so fearful. They are in a state of shock," a Syrian activist told BBC regarding the situation faced by the Alawite community. "They don't know what to do. There is no government or state who is ready to help them, to protect them.”
Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, expressed deep concern over reports of executions and fighting, urging all sides to "refrain from actions that could further inflame tensions, escalate conflict, exacerbate the suffering of affected communities, destabilize Syria, and jeopardize a credible and inclusive political transition."
Latakia, known as the heartland of Syria’s Alawite community, has historically been a stronghold of the Assad family, which is part of the minority. The Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shia Islam and makes up about 10 percent of Syria’s population, which is predominantly Sunni.
