Greece Condemns Syria Clashes as HTS Violence Claims Hundreds of Civilian Lives

On Saturday, Greece’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement voicing deep concern over reports of widespread civilian casualties in Syria, stemming from violent clashes between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and allied militias and Assad loyalists in the coastal regions of Tartus, Lattakia, and nearby villages.

“We are deeply alarmed by reports of violent clashes resulting in numerous civilian deaths in Syria. We urge all parties to act with restraint, pursue peaceful resolutions, and avoid steps that could escalate tensions further,” the statement, shared on X, declared.

It continued, “These events underscore the critical need for an inclusive political transition and the safeguarding of all ethnic and religious groups, in line with the goal of national unity.”

Social media has been flooded with videos and images allegedly depicting HTS and allied fighters targeting Alawite civilians in Syria’s coastal towns and villages.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitoring organization, reported that as of Saturday, the conflict had claimed over 700 lives, including more than 500 Alawite civilians, amid the fighting and subsequent reprisal killings.

HTS seized control of Damascus in December 2024, placing its leader, Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa—previously known as Al-Julani, a former Al-Qaeda figure in Syria—as the country’s president. His ascent has raised alarm about potential persecution of Syria’s minority communities, such as the Druze, Alawites, Christians, and others.

Source: pagenews.gr