The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported today that 1,225 civilians have been killed since the beginning of clashes between Syrian security forces and allied groups in the western and central parts of the country, reported Agence France-Presse, quoted by BTA.
According to the latest data from the non-governmental organization, 658 civilians have been killed in Latakia province, 384 civilians were killed in Tartus, 171 in Hama and 12 in Homs.
The violence began on Thursday after a bloody attack carried out by men loyal to ousted President Bashar Assad against security forces in Jableh, near the city of Latakia – cradle of the Alawite minority, to which Assad belongs.
The HRW reported that the clashes then escalated into "summary executions" targeting civilians from the Alawite community.
In an attempt to calm the situation on Sunday, the interim president's office announced the formation of an "independent commission of inquiry" into "extortions of civilians" to identify those responsible and "bring them to justice".
The authorities announced that at least seven people had been arrested since yesterday on charges of "extortions" against civilians who have been handed over to the competent military justice.
Meanwhile, it has become clear that thousands of Alawites have sought refuge at the Russian air base in the Syrian city of Hmeymim.
„Thousands of Alawite civilians have fled the massacres in the town of Jableh and its surrounding villages to find refuge in and around the „Hmeymim“ military base, said the director of the OHCHR, Rami Abdel Rahman.
According to the NGO, some of the displaced people who have been flocking to the base since February refuse to return to their homes for fear of being targeted by new attacks or that their homes have been destroyed.
According to the OHCHR, they are facing critical shortages of food, basic necessities and medical supplies.
Other families "are still hiding in the mountains and forests," the organization added.
Today, the mayor of Jableh, Amjad Sultan, arrived with the displaced people to urge them to return to their homes, as "the situation outside is now safe," AFP noted.