Lina Sinjab

The officer tells me they have already arrested some of the perpetrators. This is Al-Qusur neighborhood in the heart of Banias where most of the killing took place. People talk about a bloodbath against the Alawite. It is deserted and those who stayed behind are too scared to speak their mind. The fear is the country is entering an endless cycle of revenge.

In another Alawite village, on the outskirts of Latakia, there are similar scenes. Volunteers move between destroyed and looted buildings, handing out aid to the survivors. Abdullah Jaber is a neurology student. His home was burned down by government forces.

In another Alawite village, on the outskirts of Latakia, there are similar scenes. Volunteers move between destroyed and looted buildings, handing out aid to the survivors. Abdullah Jaber is a neurology student. His home was burned down by government forces.

You want to stay in Syria? Do you feel that there is a future for you?

You want to stay in Syria? Do you feel that there is a future for you?

There has been lots of efforts by the official authorities to contain the situation, to stop the violations, but also the interim president announced a committee to investigate the killing, whether it's conducted by remnants of the Assad regime or by members of the fighters or factions that are affiliated to the new authority.

There has been lots of efforts by the official authorities to contain the situation, to stop the violations, but also the interim president announced a committee to investigate the killing, whether it's conducted by remnants of the Assad regime or by members of the fighters or factions that are affiliated to the new authority.

And right now they say that it seems that the situation is, you know, under control or calming down, especially around Tartus and Latakia. But we're not quite sure if this whole operation is over yet.

And right now they say that it seems that the situation is, you know, under control or calming down, especially around Tartus and Latakia. But we're not quite sure if this whole operation is over yet.

It is a very challenging time indeed, especially with remnants of the Assad regime still out and about. And of course, we have the challenge of all the foreign fighters who are, you know, still inside Syria and are reported to have been, along with some of the factions who entered Jabli and Baniyas and conducted the mass killing.

It is a very challenging time indeed, especially with remnants of the Assad regime still out and about. And of course, we have the challenge of all the foreign fighters who are, you know, still inside Syria and are reported to have been, along with some of the factions who entered Jabli and Baniyas and conducted the mass killing.

And that's why the interim president said that there would be an organ like a committee to protect civil peace dedicated to work with the families on the coastal side. But I have to say, it's going to be a very big challenge because, you know, these groups, both sides, the Alawites who are remnants of the Assad regime, who have vested interest in destabilizing the situation elsewhere. are armed.

And that's why the interim president said that there would be an organ like a committee to protect civil peace dedicated to work with the families on the coastal side. But I have to say, it's going to be a very big challenge because, you know, these groups, both sides, the Alawites who are remnants of the Assad regime, who have vested interest in destabilizing the situation elsewhere. are armed.

The radical groups or the foreign fighters who have conducted also crimes over the past two days are armed. How he's going to strike this balance, how they're going to stop them, take them to courts, that's going to be the big challenge coming ahead to reassure not only the Alawite community, but the whole Syria and the international community that is watching the situation developing.

The radical groups or the foreign fighters who have conducted also crimes over the past two days are armed. How he's going to strike this balance, how they're going to stop them, take them to courts, that's going to be the big challenge coming ahead to reassure not only the Alawite community, but the whole Syria and the international community that is watching the situation developing.

how this is a country that's going to protect all rights, equal rights for all Syrians, regardless of their religion or their belief.

how this is a country that's going to protect all rights, equal rights for all Syrians, regardless of their religion or their belief.

Videos and images on social media of bodies lying in the streets are causing anger among many Syrians. The coastal city of Banias is believed to have witnessed the worst violence, with women and children among those killed by forces affiliated to the new authorities. Those forces are reported to include Chechen fighters.

Videos and images on social media of bodies lying in the streets are causing anger among many Syrians. The coastal city of Banias is believed to have witnessed the worst violence, with women and children among those killed by forces affiliated to the new authorities. Those forces are reported to include Chechen fighters.

Violence erupted after remnants of the Assad regime from the Alawite minority ambushed security and army personnel, killing dozens of them. Syria's interim president, Ahmad al-Sharra, has vowed to hold anyone who attacked civilians accountable. So far, his forces seem unable to control the situation.