The ongoing civil war in Syria has claimed the lives of over a thousand people, with fierce clashes now entering their fourth consecutive day. Among the dead are 745 civilians from the Alawite community, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

In a particularly brutal escalation, more than 700 civilians belonging to the Alawite religious minority were killed during two days of intense fighting between Syrian security forces and fighters loyal to the former Assad regime.

The SOHR reported that 745 civilians were executed, while 125 Syrian security personnel and 148 pro-Assad fighters also lost their lives in the violence.

Syria’s interim president and former rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, described the ongoing clashes between forces aligned with Syria’s de facto authorities and Alawite fighters loyal to ousted president Bashar al-Assad, as being within the scope of “expected challenges”, according to reports from Arab media.

In a video broadcast by Arab media, including Saudi Arabia’s Arabiya TV, al-Sharaa also called for national unity. The footage aired by Arabiya TV showed him delivering a speech inside a mosque, urging Syrians to stand together in the face of the country’s deepening crisis.

The worsening situation in Syria is of particular concern to Greece due to the presence of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch.

A month ago, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis visited Syria and met with the country’s interim leader. Following the meeting, Gerapatritis emphasized Greece’s commitment to ensuring that any new Syrian administration upholds international law—especially maritime law—and adopts an inclusive approach that guarantees the participation of Christian communities in governance.

In response to Friday’s deadly clashes, Greece’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing deep concern:
“We are deeply alarmed by reports of violent clashes resulting in significant civilian casualties in Syria. We urge all parties to act responsibly and seek peaceful solutions, refraining from actions that could further escalate tensions.”