Ukraine condemns sectarian killings in Syria
Photo: Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha (Getty Images)
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry calls for accountability for mass killings of civilians in Syria and urges restraint from conflicting parties, according to Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.
The minister called the footage of mass killings of civilians in Syria on ethnic and religious grounds horrifying. He urged that those responsible for these atrocities be held accountable.
“We urge restraint. Unity and inclusiveness are critical to restoring peace in Syria, which has seen enough violence in recent years,” Sybiha stated.
Armed clashes in Syria
In recent days, armed militants loyal to Bashar al-Assad’s regime have attacked several Syrian provinces, resulting in 48 deaths on both sides.
France24, citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, later reported mass killings in 21 settlements across the Latakia, Tartus, and Hama provinces—areas considered strongholds of Alawites who supported Assad.
Forces of the new administration allegedly executed around 340 civilians, including women and children.
In early December, militants from the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham seized key cities, including Damascus, overthrowing Assad’s regime. The dictator fled to Russia with his family, while group leader Ahmed al-Sharaa temporarily took power in Syria.
Israel and the US military regularly strike Islamic State and al-Qaeda targets, fearing the growing influence of Islamist groups amid the country’s instability and political crisis.
