Syria's Sectarian Killings: U.N. Calls for Thorough Investigation

The U.N. human rights office reports sectarian killings in Syria's coastal region by loyalists of Bashar al-Assad, targeting predominantly Alawite communities. The killings involved entire families, including women and children. The U.N. documents 111 civilian deaths and calls for a thorough investigation by Syria's government.

The U.N. has sounded the alarm over a series of sectarian killings in Syria's coastal region, with entire families among the victims. These atrocities, allegedly committed by groups loyal to Bashar al-Assad, primarily targeted Alawite communities during an ongoing insurgency.

In response, pressure mounts on Syria's Islamist-led government to investigate, as the U.N. human rights office reports that 111 civilians have been killed, a number expected to rise. The majority of the victims were men, with women and children also counted among the dead, in what appear to be sectarian-driven summary executions.

U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk welcomed Syria's initiative to form an accountability committee, urging prompt and impartial investigations. These actions are crucial to address allegations of severe human rights violations and bring those responsible to justice.

(With inputs from agencies.)