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Conflict in Syria

Death toll in clashes in western Syria rises to 973 people — newspaper

The majority of the victims belong to the Alawite community

BEIRUT, March 10. /TASS/. The number of civilian casualties of clashes between the security forces of the new Syrian government and armed supporters of former President Bashar al-Assad increased to 973 from 830 people, including women and children, in the past day, Lebanese newspaper Al Nahar reported.

The majority of the victims belong to the Alawite community, which accounts for 12% of the Arab republic's population.

Security forces have regained control of the coastal areas in the provinces of Latakia and Tartus, but fighting continues in the mountainous areas. During the military operation, which began on March 6, over 250 militia members were killed. The armed groups supporting the new Syrian government lost 231 fighters.

On March 9, the office of interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said that the head of state had formed an independent committee to clarify the circumstances that led to the escalation of violence in the coastal provinces in the west of the country. According to the document published in the Telegram channel, it consists of seven judges.

The committee's responsibilities include examining "crimes against civilians," "assaults on government institutions, the military, and security forces," identifying those accountable, and prosecuting those involved in criminal activities.

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Syrian conflict

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