Sharaa addressed a congregation at a mosque in his hometown of Mazzah, Damascus, stating that the current situation in Syria falls within the range of anticipated challenges.
“Preserving national unity and civil peace is of utmost importance, and with the support of religious teachings that promote morality, fairness, and justice, there is hope for Syria’s future,” Sharaa said.
Violence erupted in Latakia and Tartus provinces on Thursday following an attack by troops loyal to former President Bashar Assad on police checkpoints and patrols.
This coastal region is a stronghold of Syria’s Alawite minority, to which Assad belongs; the response by security forces of the new Syrian government has been reported as excessively violent, sparking fears of reprisals against the community.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), at least 745 Alawite civilians have been killed since Thursday, some reportedly executed in a manner resembling operations by the former regime’s security forces.
A SOHR spokesperson reported that Alawite civilians, including women and children, have been “executed,” and houses and properties have been looted.
Additionally, at least 148 pro-Assad fighters and approximately 125 transitional government troops have been killed.
