Casualty Report: Over 4,700 Civilians Killed in Syria After Assad’s Ouster

In the first 100 days post-Bashar al-Assad’s ousting, over 4,700 Syrian civilians were killed due to increasing sectarian violence and chaos. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that this includes significant deaths from field executions and attacks predominantly by pro-Assad forces. The Alawite minority faces heightened vulnerabilities as power dynamics shift drastically in the wake of the regime’s fall.

The recent report from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reveals that over 4,700 civilians have lost their lives in the first 100 days following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. This significant loss, attributed largely to sectarian violence, indicates a troubling deterioration of security in Syria after Assad’s removal on December 8, 2024.

According to the observatory, the total casualties across Syria amount to 6,316 individuals, which includes 4,711 civilians, of whom 345 were women and 194 were children. Additionally, the military losses numbered 1,605. A distressing aspect of this situation is that 1,805 deaths resulted from sectarian executions and targeted killings related to loyalty to the former regime.

Many of these fatalities occurred in March, particularly when pro-Assad forces launched coordinated attacks on government checkpoints, notably on March 6. The downfall of Assad’s regime has led to an alarming power vacuum, allowing armed groups to exploit the context for their purposes.

Initially, violence was somewhat managed by the Islamist coalition that helped overthrow Assad, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, previously associated with the Nusrah Front. However, conditions sharply declined towards the end of February. A series of assaults on Defense Ministry officials in Alawite-majority regions sparked severe retaliatory actions, leading to extrajudicial executions and revenge killings perpetuated by security forces aligned with the new government.

The Alawite community, holding influential roles during the Assad dynasty, has faced significant vulnerabilities since the regime’s collapse, exacerbating sectarian tensions further in this already volatile region. The ongoing cycle of violence underscores the urgent need for a concerted effort to restore peace and security in Syria.

The aftermath of President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster has resulted in devastating civilian casualties, accompanied by profound sectarian strife. The statistics presented indicate a deeply troubling escalation of violence and a failure to establish stability in the region. As factions vie for power amidst this chaos, the Alawite community, long protected under Assad’s rule, finds itself increasingly isolated and vulnerable, highlighting the urgent need for fundamental safety and reconciliation measures in Syria.

Original Source: efe.com