Bloodbath in Syria; over 1,000 killed in brutal power struggle

Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday urged peace and national unity after violent clashes erupted between security forces and loyalists of the former government, resulting in over 1,000 deaths, mostly from the Alawite minority.

Speaking from a mosque in Damascus, Sharaa called for preserving national harmony, stating, "We must maintain civil peace and, God willing, learn to coexist."

Security forces were heavily deployed in Alawite-dominated coastal regions following reports of mass killings. A war monitor revealed that nearly 750 Alawite civilians were executed by security personnel and pro-government fighters who also looted homes and businesses.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that violence in the region since Thursday has claimed 1,018 lives, including 125 government security personnel and 148 Assad loyalists.

The official SANA news agency confirmed that government forces had been sent to Latakia, Jableh, and Baniyas to restore order. Witnesses described harrowing accounts of civilians being slaughtered, with some claiming foreign fighters were among the attackers.

One survivor, Samir Haidar, a 67-year-old Alawite who had previously opposed the Assad regime, recounted how he barely escaped with his life. "If I had been five minutes late, I would have been killed," he said.

In response, the Syrian defence ministry announced that order had been restored in conflict-hit areas. Spokesman Hassan Abdul Ghani warned that any further attacks on civilians would not be tolerated.

Defence ministry spokesman Hassan Abdul Ghani said the security forces had "reimposed control" over areas that had seen attacks by Assad loyalists.

"It is strictly forbidden to approach any home or attack anyone inside their homes," he added in a video posted by SANA.