Over 4,700 civilian deaths have been recorded in Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. A report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights attributes many of these deaths to sectarian violence and grievous acts such as field executions. The departure of Assad has created a power vacuum, resulting in increased chaos and conflict among various armed groups.
In the aftermath of President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster, over 4,700 Syrian civilians have tragically lost their lives within the first 100 days. This harrowing toll has been reported by the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, highlighting the rampant sectarian violence and chaos that have enveloped Syria since December 8, 2024, when Assad fled to Moscow.
The monitor documented that out of the 6,316 total deaths across Syria, 4,711 were civilian casualties, including 345 women and 194 children. The report revealed that at least 1,800 victims were specifically killed in sectarian attacks, with an alarming 1,805 fatalities attributed to field executions based on sectarian identity and previous regime affiliation. Most of these incidents occurred in March, particularly assaults on checkpoints by pro-Assad militants.
The aftermath of Assad’s departure has led to a significant power vacuum, wherein armed groups and opportunistic factions have sought to exploit the turmoil for their advantage. While the initial regime change was managed by the Islamist-led coalition, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which comprises predominantly Sunni Islamist insurgents, the security landscape began to deteriorate sharply by late February.
A series of coordinated assaults by loyalists to Assad targeted officials in Alawite-majority western Syria, inciting a fierce response from new security forces. These groups retaliated with extrajudicial executions and revenge killings against perceived opponents. The Alawite minority, closely associated with the Assad regime for over fifty years, continues to receive significant scrutiny as they had held influential positions within the government and military apparatus throughout the Assad family rule.
The ongoing conflict in Syria following Assad’s ouster has resulted in the deaths of over 4,700 civilians, reflecting a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by sectarian violence and instability. The emergence of armed groups has further complicated the security situation, highlighting the consequences of a power vacuum in a region with deep-seated sectarian divisions. The interplay of violence among various factions continues to pose significant threats to innocent lives across Syria.
Original Source: efe.com
