According to a report, security forces in Syria have carried out executions on people belonging to the alawite faith of which former president Bashar al-Assad is a member. Reportedly, the alawite faith is an offshoot of shia islam (sunnies constitute the majority of Syria’s population).
According to the report, the Syrian observatory for human rights said 162 civilians, including 13 women and 5 children have been killed in field executions in the region.
Reportedly, Syria’s new government said a military operation is being launched in Mr Assad’s hometown of Qardaha, and that Syria would pursue the remnants of the Assad regime and bring them to trial. According to the report, the violence has left the alawite community shocked and horrified.