The death toll from two days of intense clashes between Syrian security forces and loyalists of former President Bashar Assad, along with subsequent revenge killings, has surpassed 1,000, marking one of the deadliest incidents since Syria’s conflict began 14 years ago. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that among the casualties were 745 civilians, most of whom were executed at close range, along with 125 government security personnel and 148 militants affiliated with Assad’s forces. Large areas around Latakia were left without electricity and drinking water amid the violence.
The clashes erupted on Thursday, signifying a major challenge to the new government in Damascus, just three months after Assad’s ouster. According to government officials, the security forces were responding to attacks by remnants of Assad’s forces, attributing the widespread violence to “individual actions.”
On Friday, retaliatory attacks by Sunni Muslim gunmen loyal to the new government targeted members of Assad’s minority Alawite sect, dealing a severe blow to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the faction that led Assad’s removal. The Alawite community had long been a significant support base for Assad’s rule.
Survivors from Alawite villages described harrowing scenes, with gunmen executing men in the streets or at their doorsteps. Many homes were looted before being set on fire. Fearful residents recounted how thousands had fled to nearby mountains for safety. In Baniyas, one of the worst-hit towns, corpses lay in the streets, on rooftops, and inside homes, with residents too terrified to retrieve them.
Ali Sheha, a 57-year-old resident of Baniyas who fled with his family, revealed that at least 20 of his neighbors had been killed—some in their homes, others in their shops. He described the killings as acts of vengeance against the Alawite minority for crimes committed by Assad’s regime. Witnesses claimed that foreign fighters and militants from nearby villages were among the assailants. Gunmen reportedly checked people’s religious affiliations before executing them, torched homes, stole cars, and looted valuables.
According to the Observatory’s chief, Rami Abdurrahman, the revenge killings ceased early Saturday. He described the violence as one of the largest massacres of civilians in Syria’s prolonged conflict. The Observatory’s earlier estimates put the death toll at 600, but official figures remain unavailable.
Meanwhile, a funeral was held in Al-Janoudiya for four Syrian security officers killed in the fighting. State media reported that the government had regained control over most areas seized by Assad loyalists. Authorities also shut down all roads leading to the coastal region to restore stability.
In the central village of Tuwaym, 31 bodies—including those of nine children and four women—were buried in a mass grave after being killed in Friday’s retaliatory attacks. Lebanese lawmaker Haidar Nasser stated that many Syrians, particularly Alawites, were fleeing to Lebanon. Some had taken shelter at Russia’s Hmeimim airbase. He urged the international community to intervene and protect Alawite civilians, many of whom lost jobs or faced targeted killings since Assad’s removal.
France expressed deep concern over the violence, strongly condemning the atrocities committed against civilians and prisoners. The French government urged Syrian authorities to conduct independent investigations into the crimes.
The clashes reportedly began when government forces attempted to arrest a wanted individual near Jableh, only to be ambushed by Assad loyalists. The situation quickly escalated into a large-scale conflict, resulting in the devastating loss of lives.