Over 330 civilians from Syria's Alawite minority have reportedly been killed in reprisals carried out by troops loyal to the country's transitional government. Germany has called for an end to the "spiral of violence."
The death toll from fighting in Syria's coastal Latakia region had risen to over 500 on Saturday morning, as transitional government forces continued to battle an uprising carried out by gunmen loyal to ousted leader Bashar al-Assad.
At least 120 insurgents have been killed, as well as 93 government troops, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), which has also claimed that at least 330 civilians have been killed in reprisal attacks described as "massacres."
"The young men were liquidated in a way not different from the operations carried out by the security forces of the former [regime]," said a SOHR spokesperson, claiming that Alawite civilians, including women and children, had been "executed" and "houses and property plundered."
Syria: what caused the outbreak of violence?
Violence erupted around the town of Jableh on Thursday and has since spread along Syria's Mediterranean coast — the heartland of the country's Alawite minority, of which former president Assad is a member.
Syria's General Intelligence Service stated that "initial investigations showed former military and security leaders affiliated with the defunct regime are behind the planning of these crimes."
A Defense Ministry spokesman said government forces had made rapid progress on the ground and regained control of areas where attacks on security forces had taken place.
Syrian authorities did not publish a death toll, but state news agency SANA quoted an unidentified security official as saying that numerous people had gone to the coast seeking revenge for recent attacks on government security forces.
The official said the government was aware of reports of "some individual violations" and said it was "working to stop them."
Germany calls for end to 'spiral of violence'
On Friday, Germany's Foreign Ministry called on all sides of the ongoing battle in Syria to avoid a "spiral of violence," releasing a statement saying:
"We are shocked by the numerous victims in the western regions of Syria. We call on all sides to seek peaceful solutions, national unity, inclusive political dialogue and transitional justice, and to overcome the spiral of violence and hatred."
During a visit to the Syrian capital, Damascus, in January, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock offered Syria support if the government met certain conditions, including ensuring the protection of minorities.
During a visit to the Syrian capital, Damascus, in January, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock offered Syria support if the government met certain conditions, including ensuring the protection of minorities.
During a visit to the Syrian capital, Damascus, in January, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock offered Syria support if the government met certain conditions, including ensuring the protection of minorities.
Interim government urges pro-Assad fighters to surrender
