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Intense fighting between opposition forces and loyalists of former President Bashar al-Assad has sparked widespread violence across Syria, with over 1,000 deaths reported. This escalation has forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes, drawing global attention as the humanitarian crisis worsens.

Rising Death Toll and Growing Humanitarian Emergency

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the conflict has led to at least 1,000 deaths, with 745 civilians executed by forces under the interim government, including women and children. These mass killings took place across 29 locations in the coastal provinces of Latakia, Tartus, Hama, and Homs, areas that have strong Alawite populations, closely tied to Assad’s regime.

The situation has worsened in Latakia, where power and water supplies have been cut off. As markets and bakeries remain closed, food shortages have intensified, leaving residents struggling to meet basic needs. Fearing for their safety, many Alawites and Christians have fled their homes, some seeking refuge at a Russian military base.

Interim Government’s Call for Surrender

Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has urged Assad loyalists to surrender, warning that those responsible for committing crimes against civilians would face severe consequences. However, al-Sharaa has not addressed reports of mass executions, which have been widely circulated. The interim government, led by Islamist factions, framed the military offensive as an operation to target “the last remnants of Assad’s militias and their allies.”

Meanwhile, Anas Khattab, the interim government’s intelligence chief, accused former Assad regime officials of fueling the violence. Khattab claims these figures, supported by foreign powers, had launched attacks against the Syrian military and police. Protests have erupted in several cities, including Damascus, with demonstrators calling for stability and an end to the violence caused by Assad’s supporters.

International and Regional Response to Rising Violence

As the violence escalates, officials from Turkey, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq are set to meet in Amman to discuss urgent security matters. The primary focus of the talks will be combating terrorist threats, including the Islamic State fighters detained in northeastern Syria.

The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed his “deep concern” over the mounting violence and urged all parties involved to prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, activists in Idlib have accused forces aligned with the interim government of committing atrocities. Syrian state media has reported that the massacres were carried out by disguised attackers with the intention of inciting further conflict.

Shifting Power Dynamics and Global Reactions

Since the fall of Assad’s regime in December, Syria has been under new leadership backed by the HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) militia. This militia, formerly associated with al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch, continues to be labeled as a terrorist organization by Western nations despite its attempts to rebrand itself. The new government has pledged to protect minority groups, but deep-seated fears persist within the Alawite community, which remains closely associated with Assad’s rule.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported that 1.2 million displaced Syrians have returned to their homes, including 300,000 refugees. Meanwhile, Switzerland froze 99 million Swiss francs (approximately €104 million) in assets linked to Assad’s former government. These funds, if found to have been unlawfully obtained, may be redirected to assist the Syrian people.

Syria’s Future at a Crossroads

The escalating violence and rising death toll have thrown Syria’s future into uncertainty. With both regional and international powers deeply involved, the conflict is becoming increasingly difficult to resolve. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community remains on edge, closely monitoring the crisis that threatens to destabilize the entire region.

For more updates on this ongoing conflict, visit Financial Mirror.