The article discusses the assassination of former Syrian diplomat Noureddine al-Labbad amid a surge in violence in Syria, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,383 civilians, mostly Alawites. Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has formed a fact-finding mission to address the violence, with international support for accountability and justice.
A former Syrian diplomat, Noureddine al-Labbad, was shot dead at his residence in Al-Sanamayn, a town located approximately 50 kilometers south of Damascus. This incident, reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, involved armed men who attacked Labbad and his brother on Tuesday night. He had recently returned to Syria from France, where he represented the opposition’s Syrian National Coalition after defecting from Assad’s administration in 2013.
Al-Labbad’s assassination is part of a broader wave of violence in Syria, where at least 1,383 civilians, predominantly Alawites, have been killed due to executions by security forces and affiliated groups. The ongoing violence has been particularly severe along Syria’s Mediterranean coast, specifically in Latakia, Tartus, and Hama, where bodies continue to be discovered.
Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led the group that ousted Assad, established a fact-finding mission to investigate the violence and bring those responsible for civilian deaths to justice. The European Union has expressed support for this initiative, condemning attacks on security forces and the atrocities committed against civilians, urging that perpetrators be held accountable.
Survivor accounts indicate that the violence is characterized by systematic attacks on families based on their sectarian identity. Reports illustrate harrowing scenes where individuals are executed in front of their families, with entire families being targeted in Alawite neighborhoods. Witnesses have recounted the brutal killings and the use of mass graves to dispose of bodies, with many men executed in front of their own families.
Human Rights Watch indicated that various armed factions, including those against the new authorities in Damascus and foreign jihadist groups, have participated in these violent acts. With thousands of fighters mobilizing in the affected regions, accountability for these atrocities must reflect the involvement of all parties, including the newly formed security forces of Syria.
The assassination of former diplomat Noureddine al-Labbad highlights the escalating violence in Syria, as over 1,383 civilians have died amid ongoing conflicts. Interim President al-Sharaa has initiated accountability measures, and the European Union supports efforts to address these atrocities. Survivor testimony reveals the harrowing reality of sectarian violence, emphasizing the need for comprehensive accountability among all factions involved. The situation remains fluid, requiring vigilance and continued international focus.
Original Source: www.abc.net.au
