Over 1,000 individuals have lost their lives in just two days of fierce clashes between armed groups and security forces tied to Syria's new Islamist leadership and fighters from Bashar al-Assad’s Alawite sect in the country’s coastal region, a war monitor reported on Saturday.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the casualties include 745 civilians, 125 Syrian security personnel, and 148 pro-Assad fighters. Reuters has not independently verified these figures.

Rami Abdulrahman, head of the observatory, described the violence in Jableh, Baniyas, and nearby areas—historically an Alawite stronghold—as the deadliest surge in Syria’s 13-year-long civil war. Among the victims were women and children from the Alawite community, he said.

The newly established ruling authority launched a crackdown on Thursday, claiming to be suppressing an emerging insurgency following a series of deadly ambushes by militants linked to Assad’s former government.

Heavy confrontations between security forces and militants have left several dozen officers dead, a Syrian security official reported. Authorities have acknowledged misconduct during the operation, attributing it to uncoordinated civilian groups and fighters who either sought to assist security forces or exploit the chaos for criminal activities.

On Saturday, a defense ministry source told state media that all coastal access routes had been sealed off to curb unrest and restore stability, with security forces actively patrolling city streets. The source added that an emergency committee had been established to investigate violations, with offenders facing military court proceedings.

Reports of mass executions of Alawite men in one village have raised further doubts about the Islamist authority’s capacity to govern inclusively—an issue of particular concern to Western and Arab leaders.

Assad was ousted last December, ending decades of authoritarian family rule marked by brutal repression and prolonged conflict.

In a televised address on Friday, Syria’s interim president, Ahmed Sharaa, defended the crackdown but cautioned security forces against excessive force. “What sets us apart from our enemies is our adherence to our principles,” he stated, warning that abandoning moral values would blur the lines between the two sides. He also insisted that civilians and prisoners must be treated humanely.

Social media platforms, particularly Syrian Facebook pages, have been flooded with tributes and obituaries for victims from the coastal region.

Abdulrahman, a longtime critic of the Assad regime known for documenting its alleged atrocities, condemned the ongoing violence. “This is not about loyalty to or opposition against Assad. These are sectarian massacres aimed at driving the Alawite population from their homes,” he said.

The defense ministry and internal security agency issued statements on Saturday, asserting efforts to restore order and prevent further attacks on civilians in the region.

Meanwhile, six coastal residents reported that thousands of Alawites and Christians had fled their homes since Thursday, fearing for their safety. Several hundred—primarily women, children, and elderly individuals—have sought refuge at Russia’s Mediterranean military base in Hmeimim, according to footage and sources familiar with the situation.

Abdulrahman and four other sources from the region, speaking anonymously, described ongoing killings, looting, and arson in Baniyas and surrounding villages overnight. Reuters has not independently confirmed these claims.