Syria clashes and killings exceed 600 fatalities

Clashes in Syria have resulted in over 600 deaths, marking one of the deadliest periods since the conflict began 14 years ago. The violence erupted between security forces and loyalists of ousted President Bashar Assad, escalating tensions three months after his removal. Revenge killings by Sunni gunmen against the Alawite minority have intensified, with reports of bodies left unburied and homes looted and burned. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the death toll has tripled, with 428 Alawites among the dead. The Syrian government claims to have regained control of many areas and has closed roads to restore stability. Many Alawites are fleeing to Lebanon for safety, and reports indicate that some are sheltering at a Russian air base in Syria.