Syria Observer group says 1000 dead in clashes between security forces and Assad loyalists

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – According to a UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Sunday reported deadly clashes that broke out between security forces and supporters of ousted president Bashar al-Assad resulted in the death of over 1,000 people, including civilians, in Syria,.

The SOHR report stated that the deaths took place in more than 20 locations across the Latakia, Tartus, and Hama governorates.

It said that as per the report, 745 civilians lost their lives in one of the deadliest clashes since the fall of the Assad regime. Besides, 125 government security force members and 148 militants affiliated with Assad were also killed.

Most of the civilians killed in the clashes were from the Alawite community that makes for around 10 per cent of the Syria’s population.

According to international media reports, Syria’s interim government said that reinforcements have been sent to coastal cities where security forces were engaged in clashes with Assad loyalists.

The Syrian Defence Ministry termed the violence “treacherous attacks” against its security forces and claimed to have gained control over the situation.

The five-decade of Assad family’s rule ended after Opposition forces captured Damascus and other major cities last December

President Assad fled to Russia where he was granted conditional asylum.