Syria Clashes Kill Over 1,000 in Latakia and Tartus

Recent clashes in Syria have led to over 1,000 deaths, primarily among civilians, marking one of the deadliest episodes since the conflict began 14 years ago. The violence erupted in the coastal regions of Latakia and Tartus, involving government forces and loyalists of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, with sectarian revenge killings targeting the Alawite minority. Reports indicate that the violence was precipitated by government forces responding to attacks from Assad loyalists, leading to retaliatory killings by Sunni Muslim gunmen. Eyewitnesses describe horrific scenes, including women being paraded naked and shot, and entire families executed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and other monitoring groups have documented these events, highlighting the severe humanitarian impact with electricity and water cuts in affected areas. While the interim government claims to have regained control over most areas, the continuing instability raises concerns about potential further escalation.