Since overthrowing President Assad’s regime, Syria’s new authorities have been working to establish control. UN says it’s received “extremely disturbing” reports of whole families being killed, and has called on the interim authorities to take “swift actions to protect Syrians”.
DAMASCUS MARCH 20: Since overthrowing President Assad’s regime, Syria’s new authorities have been working to establish their control over the country. But this has brought them into conflict in areas dominated by the Alawite sect, the group from which President Assad drew much of his support. Fighting recently broke out with dozens of casualties in an Alawite village south of Latakia. Lina Sonja reports from the area.
The UN is urging Syria’s interim leaders to take swift action to protect civilians following a wave of violence against members of the minority Alawite community. Government security forces are said to have been carrying out reprisals in Latakia Province, where at least 1,000 Alawites, including children are said to have been killed in recent days.
The Alawites are a minority sect of Shia Muslims, from which the Assad family originates.
The UN says it’s received “extremely disturbing” reports of whole families being killed, and has called on the interim authorities to take “swift actions to protect Syrians” while the US says the Syrian leadership must hold the perpetrators accountable.
