Sharaa urges peace amid escalating violence in Syria

Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, called for peace on Sunday amid ongoing violence between the Sunni majority and the Alawite minority. Over 700 Alawite civilians have died since fighting began on Thursday, marking severe communal unrest. The violence has escalated into revenge killings, with armed supporters of the new Islamist leadership joining the conflict in coastal areas. This situation represents the worst communal violence since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Sharaa emphasized the need for national unity and coexistence, stating that the current challenges are expected. He spoke from a mosque in Damascus, urging for preservation of peace in the country.