Moderate rebels face massacre accusations in Syria

Syria's new government faces serious accusations of massacres amid violent clashes with loyalist fighters. Reports indicate over 300 civilians have died, with fears of targeted attacks against the Alawite community, which supported ousted president Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported distress calls from affected areas, highlighting sectarian violence and executions. Security forces have been deployed heavily in coastal regions, struggling to maintain control and prevent revenge attacks. This turmoil follows a thaw in relations between Syria and several countries after Assad's fall. The Biden administration eased some sanctions on the governing group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which remains under U.N. sanctions.