Situation Deteriorates and Civilians Flee... France Condemns Massacres in the Syrian Coast and Demands International Investigation

France has strongly condemned "violations targeting civilians on sectarian grounds" in Syria, calling for independent investigations to determine the circumstances of these crimes.

In a statement issued by the French Foreign Ministry on Saturday, Paris emphasized its strong condemnation of "sectarian abuses" that occurred in the Syrian coast, following violent clashes that erupted as a result of attacks launched by armed groups from remnants of the former regime against government forces.

The French Foreign Ministry called on "the transitional authorities in Syria" to ensure independent investigations that reveal the truth and hold those responsible for these crimes accountable. It also affirmed its commitment to "a peaceful and inclusive political transition process, free from any external interference," indicating that this approach is "the only way to preserve Syria's unity and prevent it from sliding into further chaos and violence."

Amid ongoing tensions, Syrian authorities announced on Saturday the reinforcement of security presence in the coastal region west of the country, where some areas have witnessed confrontations considered the most violent since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime last December.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the death toll on the Syrian coast has risen sharply since the outbreak of clashes on Thursday, March 6, indicating that the numbers continue to increase as fighting operations continue.

The Observatory clarified that "the death toll as of Saturday evening reached 1,018 people, including 745 civilians who were eliminated during massacres of a sectarian nature," adding that 125 members of security forces and the Ministry of Defense, including 93 Syrians, were killed in the confrontations, along with 148 armed individuals from the remnants of the former regime and its supporters in the region.

Amid escalating violence, the region has witnessed a major collapse in basic services. The Observatory confirmed that electricity and drinking water have been cut off from large parts of rural Latakia for the second consecutive day, leading to the shutdown of communication networks and the closure of markets and bakeries, while residents are unable to secure their basic needs.

Coinciding with this escalation, Syrian security forces announced that they "fought battles against armed groups affiliated with the former regime," while the Ministry of Defense confirmed that it is working to "control the security situation within cities and avoid expanding combat operations to preserve the safety of civilians."

In a move allegedly aimed at limiting security chaos, the Syrian Ministry of Defense, in coordination with the General Security Administration, announced the closure of all roads leading to the coastal area in an attempt to restore stability and stop violations. Military sources confirmed that combat operations have been temporarily suspended to evacuate the area of armed elements not affiliated with official security and military institutions.

With the increasing number of victims and the worsening humanitarian situation on the Syrian coast, questions arise about the future of the region and whether these developments will push the international community to take more serious steps in dealing with the complex Syrian landscape.