Alawites are an Arab ethnic and religious group, with distinct cultures, languages and religious beliefs. They live mainly in the Levant region in West Asia.

Syria’s new Islamist leader vows action after his soldiers massacre civilians - Ahmed al-Sharaa’s forces kill hundreds of civilians from minority Alawite community following ambush by insurgents loyal

As Syria’s Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa struggles to ensure stability in the country, militant groups supporting ousted President Bashar al-Assad are not the only cause of his worries

Foreign ministers of Türkiye, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria met in Amman amid heightened violence in Syria’s coastal provinces - Anadolu Ajansı

A human rights group characterized the killings as executions and massacres, carried out in revenge against the Alawite community, which made up Assad's longtime base of support.

The clashes raise concerns about Syria’s stability and interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa’s ability to reunify the country after 13 years of civil war.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has launched an investigation into the deadly clashes in Latakia and Tartous, vowing to hold those responsible for civilian bloodshed accountable. The independent committee will submit its findings within 30 days as the government seeks to prevent further unrest.

The resumption of hostilities in Syria could change everything, and the Russian military could suddenly find itself in a precarious and vulnerable position.

International alarm is growing over fighting in western Syria, where hundreds of civilians have been reportedly killed amid intense clashes.