Syria: Security forces accused of executing dozens of Alawites

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 162 civilians were executed in a coastal region linked to ousted president Bashar al-Assad.

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The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said 162 civilians have been killed in "field executions" in the region - a heartland of deposed president Bashir al-Assad, who also belongs to the Alawite sect.

An interior ministry source told the country's official news agency Sana that "individual violations" had occurred on the coast and pledged to put a stop to them.

BBC News has not been able to verify claims that the killings were committed by the forces of Syria's new rulers.

The total killed includes 13 women and five children, the SOHR told the AFP news agency.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czxnwrqey4go

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