57 killed in sectarian violence in Syria since Beginning of October

Since the beginning of October, various Syrian governorates have witnessed a series of killings with diverse motives and backgrounds, most notably those linked to sectarian and social affiliations.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Saturday that these incidents occurred across multiple cities and regions, from Damascus and its countryside to Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Latakia, Tartus, Idlib, and Daraa, resulting in dozens of victims, including men, women, and children.

The Observatory stated that the number of victims of retaliatory and targeted killings in different Syrian governorates since the beginning of October reached 57, including 48 men, 8 women, and 1 child. It noted that these incidents reflect the ongoing tension and division in the country, accompanied by a rise in violence motivated by sectarian or retaliatory reasons, which exacerbates civilian suffering and underscores the need to strengthen protection, accountability, and prevention of such crimes.

The Observatory added that these figures highlight the magnitude of the tragedy still faced by civilians in Syria amid the continuing cycle of violence and social division.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights emphasized that, with the rise of killings on sectarian or retaliatory grounds, there is an urgent need for concrete action by local and international actors to put an end to these violations, ensure accountability for perpetrators, protect civilians, and promote civil peace.