France Condemns Surge of Violence Against Civilians in Syria
Over 500 Alawite civilians reported killed in recent incidents, prompting calls for accountability.
France has officially condemned recent violence in the Syrian Arab Republic that has targeted civilians based on their faith, as well as prisoners.
According to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 532 Alawite civilians have been killed in the past few days by security forces and associated groups.
The Alawite community is a religious minority in Syria, notably including members of the former regime of Bashar Assad, who was ousted from power.
The escalation of violence has occurred following the takeover of significant territories by a coalition of rebel forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) in December.
HTS had previously pledged to protect Syria’s diverse religious and ethnic minorities following their military successes.
The French foreign ministry has called upon the new authorities in Syria to facilitate independent investigations into these incidents and to ensure that those responsible for the killings are brought to justice.
According to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least 532 Alawite civilians have been killed in the past few days by security forces and associated groups.
The Alawite community is a religious minority in Syria, notably including members of the former regime of Bashar Assad, who was ousted from power.
The escalation of violence has occurred following the takeover of significant territories by a coalition of rebel forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) in December.
HTS had previously pledged to protect Syria’s diverse religious and ethnic minorities following their military successes.
The French foreign ministry has called upon the new authorities in Syria to facilitate independent investigations into these incidents and to ensure that those responsible for the killings are brought to justice.
