Syria Faces Deadliest Violence Since Assad's Overthrow, Hundreds Killed

Mass killings of Alawites and other civilians by pro-Assad loyalists and government forces strain efforts to unify post-Assad Syria.

The violence, concentrated in western Syria, has left hundreds dead, including Alawites and Sunni civilians, in the worst unrest since Bashar al-Assad's ousting in December 2024.
Pro-Assad loyalists staged an uprising against the new government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, prompting a heavy-handed response from government forces and allied militias.
Mass graves have been discovered in villages near Latakia, with reports of entire families being slaughtered and communities displaced by the violence.
The new government has vowed to investigate the killings and hold perpetrators accountable, but minority groups remain skeptical of its commitment to inclusivity and justice.
International actors, including Turkey and the U.S., have cautiously engaged with the situation, while concerns grow over potential external meddling by Iran and Russia.