{"id":14572,"date":"2025-03-12T15:04:03","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T15:04:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailywashingtoninsider.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/12\/entire-families-killed-in-syria-sectarian-violence-un-says\/"},"modified":"2025-03-12T15:04:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T15:04:03","slug":"entire-families-killed-in-syria-sectarian-violence-un-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailywashingtoninsider.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/12\/entire-families-killed-in-syria-sectarian-violence-un-says\/","title":{"rendered":"Entire families killed in Syria sectarian violence, UN says"},"content":{"rendered":"

Armed groups killed entire families, including women and children, during an outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria last week, the United Nations\u2019 human rights office said on Tuesday. <\/p>\n

The bloodshed in the coastal heartland of former ruler Bashar al-Assad saw more than 800 people killed in clashes between armed groups loyal to the toppled dictator and forces loyal to the new Syrian regime, according to a war monitor. <\/p>\n

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCR) spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said the agency had documented at least 111 killings, though the number was believed to be far higher. <\/p>\n

\u201cSome survivors told us that many men were shot dead in front of their families,\u201d Al-Kheetan told a regular press briefing in Geneva, adding that many of the \u201csummary executions\u201d targeted members of the Alawite minority. <\/p>\n

The Assad family, which ruled Syria for more than half a century, are members of the minority Shiite Muslim sect, which lives predominantly in Sunni-majority Syria. <\/p>\n

Al-Kheetan said the killings \u201cappear to have been carried out on a sectarian basis, in Tartus, Latakia and Hama governorates – reportedly by unidentified armed individuals, members of armed groups allegedly supporting the caretaker authorities\u2019 security forces.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cIn a number of extremely disturbing instances, entire families \u2013 including women, children and individuals hors de combat – were killed, with predominantly Alawite cities and villages targeted in particular,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n

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A Syrian man points at bullet holes in a window of a hospital in Jableh town, 25 km south of Latakia, on March 10, 2025, following a spate of violence between Syrian security forces and insurgents loyal to deposed president Bashar al-Assad.<\/span> <\/div>
Moawia Atrash\/dpa\/picture alliance\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Battles take place between the new Syrian government’s Defense Ministry forces and the forces loyal to Bashar Assad on March 7, 2025, in outskirts of Jableh, Latakia countryside, Syria.<\/span> <\/div>
Mohamad Daboul\/AFP\/Middle East Images\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The United Kingdom-based Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) said on Tuesday that among the 803 killed, \u201cnon-state armed groups\u201d loyal to Assad were responsible for the deaths of 383 people, including 172 members of state security forces and 211 civilians. <\/p>\n

The men abducted Mousa and he was found five hours later lying in the street with gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen, the relative said. Mousa died in hospital the next day, they said. <\/p>\n

Throughout Assad\u2019s rule, the Alawite sect became increasingly linked, in the eyes of his opponents, to the atrocities committed by his regime during the Syrian civil war. <\/p>\n

Interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who once led the al Qaeda-linked group that toppled Assad late last year, has previously promised political equality and representation to the various sects of Syria\u2019s diverse ethnic and religious populations. <\/p>\n

The caretaker authorities announced the end of security operations in the coastal areas on March 10, but intermittent clashes continue to be reported. <\/p>\n

Sharaa has blamed the violence on the remains of Assad\u2019s forces, claiming they were trying to incite sectarian strife. <\/p>\n

On Sunday, Sharaa said his government would hold accountable anyone involved in the deaths of civilians during the heavy fighting. Sharaa had previously described the violence as \u201cexpected challenges.\u201d <\/p>\n

Syria\u2019s interim government has vowed to form an independent committee to investigate the violence and submit a report to the presidency within 30 days. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

This post appeared first on cnn.com<\/div>\n

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