‘They killed him in cold blood’: the cycle of revenge in north-west Syria

Over 1,000 people – including 745 civilians – were killed in attacks last week that mostly targeted Alawite minority
Sipping tea on an unusually warm February afternoon on his veranda that overlooked the small Alawite village of Arza, north-west Syria, Mohammed Abdullah al-Ismaili said he trusted the new Syrian authorities to keep him safe.
“We believe what [interim Syrian president Ahmed] al-Sharaa says, but the problem is these unknown groups,” the 62-year-old official in Arza’s municipality told the Guardian on 4 February, four days after a group of masked men raided the village at night and killed eight men on their knees. “The government says the killings are individual cases, it seems like they are unable to control the cases.”
Continue reading...
Read more at The Guardian
Topics
-
More than 1,000 people killed in two days of clashes in Syria, war monitor says
About 745 civilians among those killed in fighting in Latakia province between security forces and fighters loyal to former president Assad. More than 1,000 people, including 745 civilians, were ...The Guardian - 6d -
Syria says operation against Assad loyalists over after deadly violence
A monitoring group says 973 civilians have been killed in revenge attacks against the Alawite sect since Thursday.BBC News - 4d -
More than 1,000 dead after 2 days of clashes and revenge killings in Syria
A war monitoring group said more than 1,000 were killed in revenge attacks and clashes between Syrian security forces and loyalists of ousted President Bashar Assad.CBS News - 5d -
Hundreds of Civilians Killed by Government Forces in Syria, War Monitors Say
More than 1,000 people have been killed in fighting between forces of the new government and remnants of the ousted regime, according to a war monitor, which said about 700 were civilians.The New York Times - 6d -
Drone attacks killing hundreds of civilians across Africa, says report
Calls grow to control military use of unmanned aerial vehicles which, despite claims of precise targeting, are claiming civilian lives. Almost 1,000 civilians have been killed and hundreds more ...The Guardian - 5d -
Hundreds of civilians have been killed in Syria. Here's what we know.
Hundreds of civilians have been killed in Syria in the last 48 hours, marking the deadliest eruption of violence since the fall of the Assad regime in December.NBC News - 5d -
Entire families reportedly killed in fighting in north-west Syria, UN says
Human rights commissioner calls for investigation into ‘extremely disturbing’ attacks in Latakia province. The UN has condemned what it called “extremely disturbing” reports of entire families ...The Guardian - 5d -
Hundreds of civilians reported killed in massacres as violence in Syria spirals
International alarm is growing over fighting in western Syria, where hundreds of civilians have been reportedly killed amid intense clashes.ABC News - 6d -
How did deadly Syria clashes start and who is responsible for civilian killings?
More than 1,000 people are believed to have died so far in fighting between security services and Assad loyalists. Clashes between Syrian security services and fighters loyal to the ousted Assad ...The Guardian - 4d
More from The Guardian
-
Ukraine war live: Putin response to peace plan ‘not good enough’, says UK, as international militaries prepare to meet in London
Representatives from numerous international militaries will meet in London on Thursday, says UK prime minister. Few resonant phrases are repeated in politics without a deliberate reason, and Keir ...The Guardian - 15m -
Protesters march in Belgrade at huge rally against Serbian president
Authorities in capital make apparent attempt to disrupt demonstration by cancelling public transport. Tens of thousands of people from across Serbia have joined an anti-corruption rally in ...The Guardian - 26m -
Notable Tesla investor says he hopes Musk’s government role is ‘short-lived’
Christopher Tsai retains faith in carmaker’s earnings potential despite backlash that has seen its shares take a hit. A devoted investor in Elon Musk ’s Tesla – and once a close childhood friend ...The Guardian - 5h -
‘Spreadsheets of empire’: red tape goes back 4,000 years, say scientists after Iraq finds
Ancient Mesopotamian stone tablets show extraordinary detail and reach of government in cradle of world civilisations. The red tape of government bureaucracy spans more than 4,000 years, according ...The Guardian - 2h -
‘Brain pacemakers’: implants to be tested to help alcohol and opioid addicts
Trial will determine whether electrical pulses can control and decrease yearnings. Surgeons are to put implants into the brains of alcoholics and opioid addicts in a trial aimed at testing the use ...The Guardian - 1h
More in World
-
Italy v Ireland: Six Nations 2025 – live
Latest from the Stadio Olimpico (2.15pm kick-off, GMT) Get in touch: you can mail Alex with your comments 1 min: Italy win their first lineout and look to test the visiting defence early on, ...The Guardian - 15m -
Ukraine war live: Putin response to peace plan ‘not good enough’, says UK, as international militaries prepare to meet in London
Representatives from numerous international militaries will meet in London on Thursday, says UK prime minister. Few resonant phrases are repeated in politics without a deliberate reason, and Keir ...The Guardian - 15m -
Manchester City v Brighton, Everton v West Ham and more football: clockwatch – live
Saturday 3pm updates from across the country Get in touch: contact Emillia with your thoughts League One fixtures . Bolton 0-1 Stockport (still live). Cambridge United 0-1 Peterborough (still ...The Guardian - 17m -
Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City: Women’s League Cup final – live reaction
A Yui Hasegawa own goal proved to be the difference between the sides as the favourites won their first piece of silverware under Sonia Bompastor. Get in touch: email Barry about the game ...The Guardian - 19m -
Protesters march in Belgrade at huge rally against Serbian president
Authorities in capital make apparent attempt to disrupt demonstration by cancelling public transport. Tens of thousands of people from across Serbia have joined an anti-corruption rally in ...The Guardian - 26m