TEL AVIV, March 10. /TASS/. Alawite leaders in Syria appealed to the Israeli authorities and asked to swiftly send troops to protect their community as tensions escalated in the country, the i24News TV channel reported.

"Following the fall of [former Syrian President Bashar] Assad's regime, and after the massacres that took place in Alawite areas against our people, we call on the Israeli government to provide protection, assistance, and support," the message, obtained by the Israeli TV channel, reads. Alawites noted that Israel was the only country to condemn the crimes authorities committed against their community when the whole world was keeping silent and inactive in the face of the injustice.

"We reach out to you [Israel] and will be your most loyal and good friends," Alawite leaders said. They expressed hope that Israel could save them from "the brutal regime." They believe that the radical Palestinian movement Hamas is setting up a base in Syria, which will become a launching point for actions against Israel. In their letter, the Alawites asked the Israel Defense Forces to send their planes and troops to protect the community and called on the Israeli Defense Ministry to send its warships to the [Syrian] coast. They added that the Israeli Foreign Ministry should raise the issue of crimes against Alawites at the international level, while Israeli media have to "shed light" on the atrocities happening in Syria.

Referring to Israelis as "sons of David" and "respected brothers," the Alawites assured that they look forward to seeing them in Syria. "Help us, and if you reach the Syrian coast, which is mostly Alawite, you will be received with songs and flowers," the community leaders promised to Israel.

Deterioration of situation in Syria

On March 6, clashes broke out in various areas of Latakia between Syrian security forces and armed groups supporting former Syrian President Bashar Assad. The fiercest fighting took place in Jableh, home to Alawites, representatives of the religious minority, to which the Assad family belongs. The authorities deployed army units and armored vehicles to those provinces, and imposed curfews in the main cities. On March 8, the Syrian transitional government sent additional forces to the coastal areas to restore security and suppress resistance from armed supporters of the former president.

Earlier, Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyansky announced that Russia and the United States submitted a request with the UN Security Council asking to organize behind-the-doors consultations regarding the developments in Syria. Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that such consultations should be held as soon as possible. According to him, the Kremlin was deeply troubled by the recent deadly outbreak of violence in Syria.