Over 1,000 dead in Syrian Alawite region violence

More than 1,000 people have died in two days of violence in Syria's coastal Alawite region, according to a war monitor. The clashes involved gunmen and security forces linked to the new Islamist rulers and fighters loyal to former president Bashar al-Assad. The violence, described as the worst in years, included 745 civilian deaths and significant casualties among security forces and Assad's fighters. The new ruling authority began a crackdown after deadly ambushes by militants, leading to heavy clashes and roadblocks in the area. Thousands of Alawites and Christians have fled their homes amid ongoing violence, with many seeking refuge at a Russian military base. Reports of killings and looting continue, raising concerns about the Islamist authority's ability to govern effectively.