UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has strongly condemned the killings of civilians in Syria and called for a comprehensive investigation and prosecution of those responsible.
“Following a series of coordinated attacks allegedly launched by elements of the former government and other local armed men, we are receiving extremely disturbing reports of the killing of entire families, including women, children and government fighters,” Türk said in a statement.
He called for the establishment of a comprehensive and credible national justice process that would ensure fairness, inclusiveness and accountability.
Violence and clashes erupted on Thursday in the Syrian provinces of Latakia and Tartus between Syrian security forces and armed groups opposed to the new authorities in Damascus.
On Friday evening, additional army and Interior Ministry units arrived in Tartus and Latakia, and local authorities imposed a curfew due to the escalation.
Syrian interim President Ahmed Shaara has called on armed groups in Latakia and Tartus to lay down their arms. The country’s Defense Ministry announced the closure of roads leading to the region.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 745 civilians had been killed in the coastal region of Syria in recent days.
