Entire families killed' as Syrian forces clash with Assad loyalists

The United Nations has condemned what it called "extremely disturbing" reports of entire families being killed in north-west Syria as clashes between security forces and Assad regime loyalists resulted in the country's highest death toll since the start of its revolution in 2011.

- William Christou

The UN rights chief, Volker Türk, called yesterday for investigations into the killings and for perpetrators to be held accountable. "We are receiving extremely disturbing reports of entire families, including women, children and hors de combat fighters, being killed," he said. "The killing of civilians in coastal areas in northwest Syria must cease, immediately," Türk added.

Fighting began on Thursday after fighters loyal to the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad ambushed security forces in Jableh, in the coastal Latakia province, inspiring a wave of revenge attacks, including against civilians belonging to the minority Alawite sect. Clashes erupted once again yesterday after security forces were attacked by Assad loyalists at a power station in Banias, Latakia.