Over 1,000 civilians killed in HTS-led atrocities in Syria

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said on Monday that “the total number of civilian martyrs who were liquidated has exceeded 1,000, including women and children.”

The Observatory added that the “killings, field executions and ethnic cleansing operations” were ongoing in the wake of bloody clashes between HTS-led militants and armed opposition groups loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad.

Its previous toll of 830 had specified the “executions” targeted the Alawite community, which accounts for 12% of Syria's population, in the Mediterranean coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus.

According to the Britain-based monitoring group, militant groups supporting the new HTS administration lost 231 members during the clashes, which began on March 6.

Over 250 pro-Assad fighters have also been killed in the process. Authorities have not provided a casualty count.

In several areas, Alawites have faced retribution killings, looting, and arson.

Witnesses have described horrific scenes where militants have stormed homes, executed Alawites in the streets, and set properties on fire. Thousands have fled into the mountains, fearing further attacks.

Fighting between HTS militants and loyalists of the former government erupted on March 6, after earlier tensions escalated into reported mass killings.

The bloodshed began when militants attempted to detain an individual in Beit Ana village of the Jableh district in Latakia Governorate, but were ambushed by armed Assad supporters.

In response, the HTS administration launched crackdowns in Alawite strongholds in the western coastal region.