Syria's Violence Surges, 1,500 Civilians Killed Amid Conflict

Following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, Syria has experienced a dramatic escalation in violence, particularly affecting the Alawite community. Recent reports indicate that as many as 1,500 civilians may have been killed amid clashes between interim government forces and loyalists of the former regime. The violence has raised alarms among international observers, with concerns that minorities, including Christians and Druze, are also being targeted. The situation remains complicated by conflicting narratives regarding responsibility for the violence, with both the interim government and former regime supporters accused of atrocities. Meanwhile, tensions have spilled over into neighboring Lebanon, where clashes have occurred between locals and Syrian refugees. Calls for international protection from the Alawite community reflect their fears of retribution following the regime's fall, amidst a backdrop of shifting alliances involving foreign powers like the U.S. and Russia.