In the past few days, the death toll in ongoing conflicts in Latakia and its surroundings in Syria has exceeded 1,000. Syrian President Ahmed Shaar made a unity call in a mosque. The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced the formation of an emergency committee to investigate possible violations during operations. With the escalation of violence, the USA and Russia have called for a UN Security Council meeting.

The death toll is rising in incidents in Latakia and its surroundings in Syria. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the death toll has exceeded 1,000. It was noted that over 700 of the deceased were civilians killed by firing at close range. It was announced that 148 pro-Assad elements and 125 Syrian government forces were killed in the clashes. The director of the Human Rights Observatory, Rami Abdulrahman, had previously stated that the majority of civilians who lost their lives were Alawites.

HOW DID THE EVENTS IN LATAKIA BEGIN? It is alleged that the spark of events in Latakia and its surroundings was the attack of elements of the Assad regime on security forces. In this attack, which took place in the Jableh district of Latakia on March 6th, 11 security personnel were killed. Following the attack, the Syrian army dispatched reinforcement units consisting of hundreds of vehicles to Latakia and Tartus. An operation was launched to capture elements of the Assad regime.

LOOTING AND ATTACKS Since Friday, it has been stated that some armed groups have targeted areas where the Alawite minority resides. Alawite village residents, speaking to the Associated Press, said that mainly men were targeted in the attacks, killed on the streets or inside their homes. The incidents were described as “revenge attacks.” It was mentioned that many houses belonging to Alawites were looted and burned. It is reported that thousands of people concerned about their lives fled to nearby mountains.

UNITY CALL FROM AHMED SHAAR Syrian President Ahmed Shaar made a statement in a mosque in Damascus. Shaar used the expressions “We must protect our national unity and civilian peace as much as possible. With the permission of Allah, we will live together in this country.” Describing this country as having the power to survive, Shaar said, “What is happening now is the expected difficulties.”

“WE WILL NOT ALLOW SYRIA TO FALL INTO CHAOS” Ahmed Shaar released a video in the evening regarding the violence in Latakia and its surroundings. Shaar stated that they are facing attempts to drag Syria into civil war. He said, “The remnants of the old regime have no choice but to surrender. Anyone harming civilians will be held accountable. We will not allow any external or local force to drag Syria into chaos or civil war.”

EMERGENCY COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced the establishment of an emergency committee to investigate and prosecute possible violations during military and security operations on March 6-7. It was stated that the committee will carefully examine whether the command instructions were followed during operations and that those responsible for violations will be referred to a military court.

USA AND RUSSIA CALL UN SECURITY COUNCIL

The USA and Russia have called for a UN Security Council meeting on Monday due to the escalation of violence in Syria.