Increase in Deaths in Syria and Request for UN Security Council Meeting; Ahmad al-Shara' Promises Investigation

With the rising number of civilian casualties in the violence in western Syria, the interim president of the country promised that investigations and judicial actions would be taken; the United States and Russia have also called for a UN Security Council meeting regarding Syria. The clashes between security forces and armed individuals, whom the new Syrian government refers to as 'remnants of Bashar al-Assad's regime,' have so far resulted in the deaths of several forces from both sides and the deaths of hundreds of civilians in predominantly Alawite areas. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in the UK, reported on Monday, March 9, that the number of civilians killed in the past three days in the 'coastal' region in western Syria has reached 973. This figure has not been confirmed by independent sources. French and Reuters news agencies reported from local residents that some civilians were killed in what appeared to be 'executions.' The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also spoke of 'massacres and field executions' in predominantly Alawite areas. According to the statistics from this UK-based center, the total number of civilian casualties, along with security forces and armed individuals, has reached about 1,500. The occurrence of violence against Syrian civilians has faced widespread international condemnation. According to diplomatic sources, the United States and Russia jointly requested a closed session of the UN Security Council on Monday to discuss the violence in Syria. The United Nations, the Arab League, the United States, and several other countries have condemned the violence in Syria. The U.S. Secretary of State condemned the 'massacre' of minorities in Syria and called on the interim Syrian government to hold those responsible for the violence accountable. Marco Rubio, in his statement, condemned 'radical Islamist terrorists' and 'foreign jihadists' for the massacre of people in western Syria. He also stated that the United States stands with Syria's religious and ethnic minorities, including Christians, Druze, Alawites, and Kurds, and extends condolences to the families of the victims. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also called for the new Syrian government to take swift action to end the 'mass killings' in the country. Volker Turk said on Sunday that reports of the killing of all members of some civilian families in northwestern Syria are 'extremely concerning.' Meanwhile, Iranian state media, including the Islamic Republic News Agency, referred to the violence in western Syria as a 'uprising' against the new rulers and labeled the protesters as 'resistance cells.' On the other hand, the Israeli Foreign Minister reiterated his country's criticisms of the new Syrian rulers. Gideon Sa'ar told the German newspaper Bild that Europe 'must wake up' and 'stop legitimizing' these rulers whom he described as 'still jihadist.' Ahmad al-Shara', the president of the transitional government of Syria, promised on Sunday to deal with those involved in the killing of civilians. In a video message published by the state news agency SANA, he once again referred to the efforts of the 'remnants of the former regime' and stated that anyone involved in the killing of civilians or harming the people has exceeded the powers granted to them or abused their power and will be held 'firmly and without leniency' accountable. He also mentioned that a committee has been formed to investigate the incidents in the coastal region. According to the Telegram channel of the interim presidency of Syria, this 'independent committee' has been established to investigate the violence against civilians and identify and prosecute those responsible. Additionally, according to a report by France Press, Ahmad al-Shara' called for 'national unity' in a speech at a mosque in Damascus on Sunday. The recent violence in Syria is occurring in the area known as the coast in the west of the country, which includes the two provinces of Latakia and Tartus and some adjacent areas. Respect for minority rights and the establishment of an inclusive government have been among the main demands and concerns of Western and Arab countries regarding the new Syrian government. Rebels led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham launched surprise attacks in northwestern Syria on December 28 of this year and ended Bashar al-Assad's rule with their entry into Damascus on December 18.