Sectarian Violence Surges in Syria: Alawite Civilians Massacred Amid Regime Instability
At least 11 Alawite civilians, including university students, were executed or tortured to death in Homs province within 24 hours, Kurdistan 24 reported citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). Three victims died under torture by Syrian security forces or allied militias, with evidence suggesting sectarian motives.
The killings coincide with deadly clashes between regime forces and Brigadier General Ali Shalhoub, a former army officer killed during an arrest operation in an Alawite-majority district. While authorities claim Shalhoub resisted arrest, activists allege the incident reflects broader purges of ex-regime figures amid internal power struggles.
The violence follows last month’s coastal massacres (March 6–8), where over 1,700 people—predominantly Alawites—were slaughtered in coordinated attacks. Survivors described armed groups storming homes, interrogating residents about sectarian ties, and executing families, including children and elderly. Despite a presidential fact-finding committee’s formation, no findings have been released after a month, exacerbating distrust among Syria’s minority communities.
Homs, once a regime stronghold, now faces escalating lawlessness, with SOHR documenting a rise in extrajudicial killings and criminality. The unrest underscores Syria’s fractured post-war order, where rival militias and weakened central authority fuel cycles of retaliation. Alawites, traditionally pro-regime, increasingly voice discontent over security failures.
International responses remain muted, while rights groups warn of systemic abuses in government-held areas. With investigations stalled and violence spreading, fears grow that Syria’s fragile stability may collapse into renewed civil conflict.
