In the northwestern region of Latakia, Syria, a large-scale bloodshed occurred when remnants of the Assad dictatorship clashed with transitional government forces. In response, Syria’s interim president, Ahmed Al-Shara, has appealed for the importance of national unity.
According to reports from Arab media outlets like Al Arabiya on the 9th (local time), President Al-Shara stated, “We must do our best to maintain national unity and peace,” and “We can live together in this country.”
He also addressed supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad, saying, “The remnants of the fallen regime are inciting violence and seeking refuge,” and “If we compromise morally, we will sink to the level of our enemies.”
According to AFP, Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, condemned the incident, stating, “There are reports of sectarian summary executions in northwestern Syria, including the massacre of families comprising women, children, and incapacitated fighters.”
He added, “The killing of civilians in the northwest must stop immediately,” and emphasized, “The Syrian authorities must act on their announcement to respect the law, to protect the Syrian people, and to hold those responsible for abuses accountable.”
In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said, “The United States stands with Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities, including Christians, Druze, Alawites, and Kurds,” and “The Syrian transitional government must hold those accountable for this massacre.”
On the 6th, armed forces loyal to former President Assad launched a surprise attack on transitional government forces in the western city of Latakia, initiating the conflict. The interim government led by President Al-Shara has moved to suppress the violence.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a total of 1,018 people, both military personnel and civilians, have died so far.
The Syrian presidential office announced the formation of an independent national investigation committee to determine the truth of the bloodshed and stated, “Those found to be involved in the crimes will be punished.”
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