Syria Declares End to Security Operation as Death Toll Mounts

Syria’s defence ministry has announced the conclusion of a large-scale military security operation in the western coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartous, following days of brutal clashes that left more than 1,500 people dead. The government claims to have dismantled pockets of resistance linked to former president Bashar al-Assad, asserting that stability is being restored in the war-torn region.

According to a Defence Ministry spokesperson, security forces “neutralized” hostile elements in multiple towns and were now “paving the way for life to return to normal.” However, human rights organizations and monitoring groups paint a far grimmer picture, warning that the violence has taken on a sectarian nature, with Alawite communities bearing the brunt of reprisals.

Mass Killings and Destruction Reported

Since last Thursday, over 1,500 people have been killed, including 1,068 civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Many of the victims belonged to the Alawite sect, a group historically associated with Assad’s regime. Reports from survivors and local sources detail accounts of families being executed, homes looted, and entire neighbourhoods devastated.

In the town of Baniyas, terrified residents recounted how fighters stormed homes in search of Alawite individuals. “They killed innocent people in cold blood who had nothing to do with any of this,” a woman from the region said. Another witness described a relative being taken from his home by armed fighters, never to be seen again.

A widely circulated video purportedly shows dozens of bodies in civilian clothing piled in a courtyard. Meanwhile, mass graves are reportedly being dug near the former president’s hometown of Qardaha, further underscoring the scale of the bloodshed.

Government Pledges Investigation Amid Global Outcry

Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to hold perpetrators accountable, announcing the formation of an independent investigative committee. “Syria is a state of law. We will not tolerate unjust bloodshed,” Sharaa stated, promising justice even if those responsible were among his own allies.

The United Nations has expressed alarm over the reports, urging Syrian authorities to act swiftly to protect civilians. UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemned the killings, calling for immediate action to prevent further sectarian violence.

As Syria grapples with the aftermath of yet another chapter of bloodshed, questions loom over the government’s ability to ensure true stability—or whether the cycle of violence will persist.