UN Condemns Killings, Calls for Investigations and Accountability

Syria's Coastal Communities Witness Horrific Violence

The UN has condemned the horrific reports of entire families being killed in north-west Syria, the country's highest death toll since the 2011 revolution. Clashes between security forces and Assad loyalists sparked the violence, with revenge attacks targeting civilians, including Alawites.

Over 1,000 people have been killed, including hundreds of civilians. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for investigations and accountability. The Syrian government formed a committee to investigate the killings.

The violence is the biggest challenge to the Islamist authorities since their rise three months ago. The US and Russia have requested a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the escalating situation.

Rights groups emphasize the importance of transitional justice and an inclusive government to prevent further violence. The new government, to be announced this month, will be closely scrutinized for its representation of Syria's diverse population.

The violence is likely to complicate efforts to lift international sanctions, particularly from the US. Western powers have stressed that respect for minority populations is crucial for removing these sanctions.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attacks, calling them the work of "radical Islamic terrorists" and urging Damascus to hold the perpetrators accountable. He offered condolences to the victims and their families and expressed support for Syria's religious and ethnic minorities.