Syria extends the deadline for a probe into coastal killings of Alawites

APNews - 11/04
Syria’s president has granted a three-month extension to an investigation into last month’s sectarian killings of Alawite civilians in coastal areas that left hundreds dead The committee’s spokesperson said 41 sites of killings were documented but the committee required more time to gather additiona

BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s presidency announced on Friday that it would extend a probe into the killings of Alawite civilians in coastal areas that left hundreds dead after clashes between government forces and armed groups loyal to former President Bashar Assad spiraled into sectarian revenge attacks.

The violence erupted on March 6 after Assad loyalists ambushed patrols of the new government, prompting Islamist-led groups to launch coordinated assaults on Latakia, Baniyas, and other coastal areas.

According to human rights groups, more than 1,000 civilians — mostly Alawites, an Islamic minority to which Assad belongs — were killed in retaliatory attacks, includi...
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