Syria’s Islamist-led government declared on Monday that it had completed military operations against a growing insurgency by Bashar al-Assad loyalists, as Western governments called for accountability over reports of hundreds of civilians killed in sectarian violence.

The violence in Syria’s coastal region is the biggest test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa since he took power in December. A war monitor reported 973 civilians killed, primarily Alawites, as government forces crushed an insurrection from Assad’s minority sect.

Sharaa, who cut ties with al Qaeda in 2016, accused remnants of Assad’s rule of trying to rekindle civil war. He pledged to hold perpetrators accountable, including members of his own government, and announced a fact-finding committee.

International Reactions:

Germany called the reports shocking, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the “radical Islamist terrorists” responsible.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Syria’s rulers remained “jihadists in suits” and urged measures to protect minorities.
The U.N. Security Council met behind closed doors at the joint request of the U.S. and Russia to discuss the escalating violence.

Government Response:

The Syrian defence ministry said it had arrested two men after a video surfaced showing unlawful civilian killings. A spokesperson declared the insurgency neutralized and vowed to prevent future threats.

Geopolitical Fallout:

Russia, which backed Assad militarily and still has bases in Syria, requested the U.N. meeting alongside the U.S..
Israel has urged Washington to keep Syria weak and decentralized, allowing Russia to maintain its presence as a counterweight to Turkey’s growing influence.

The conflict’s aftermath leaves Sharaa grappling with internal unrest, Western scrutiny, and economic challenges, all while seeking legitimacy on the global stage.

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