President calls for unity after mass killings in Syria

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa urged national unity on Sunday after reports of mass killings of Alawite civilians. The violence, described as the worst since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, has drawn international condemnation, including from the UN and the US. An independent committee has been formed to investigate the killings, which have reportedly left 745 Alawite civilians dead. Clashes between new security forces and former government loyalists began after the arrest of a suspect in an Alawite village. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a total death toll of 1,018, including security forces and pro-Assad fighters. The situation remains tense, with ongoing military operations in affected areas and fears of reprisals among the Alawite community.