Syrian leader calls for peace amid escalating violence

Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has called for peace as violence escalates, resulting in over 1,000 deaths. He emphasized the need for national unity during a mosque address in Damascus amid intense clashes between pro-government forces and former Assad loyalists. Recent fighting in western coastal regions has led to hundreds of civilian casualties. Human rights groups report allegations of revenge killings against the Alawite minority, with claims of Russian and Iranian involvement in the attacks. In response to the violence, the Syrian presidency announced the formation of an independent committee to investigate the situation. The United Nations and the United States have condemned the attacks and called for accountability.