Assassination of Former Syrian Diplomat Amid Escalating Violence in Syria

Former Syrian diplomat Noureddine al-Labbad was assassinated as violence in Syria escalated, resulting in over 1,300 civilian deaths. Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has initiated a fact-finding mission to seek justice for these acts. The EU supports this endeavor and condemns the ongoing civilian atrocities amid the conflict.

A former Syrian diplomat, Noureddine al-Labbad, was shot dead by armed intruders at his home in Al-Sanamayn, approximately 50 kilometers south of Damascus. His assassination occurred as part of a widespread wave of violence in Syria, which has seen over 1,300 civilians, predominantly Alawites, killed since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. Al-Labbad had recently returned to Syria after serving as a representative for the opposition’s Syrian National Coalition in France and had defected from Assad’s administration in 2013.

In response to the increasing violence, interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced a fact-finding mission aimed at holding accountable those responsible for the recent civilian deaths. Alongside the violence that claimed Labbad’s life, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights detailed that civilians have been executed by security forces and allied groups during this tumultuous period.

The European Union has expressed its support for the establishment of the fact-finding committee, urging that those culpable for these acts of violence face justice. The EU condemned the attacks perpetuated by pro-Assad militias and highlighted the severe crimes against civilians engaged in summary killings.

Witness accounts and reports from rights organizations indicate that entire families, including women and children, have been targeted, especially in Alawite communities. UN spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan emphasized that attackers indiscriminately raided homes, questioning residents regarding their sect before deciding on their fate. Disturbingly, evidence suggests that armed groups have targeted civilians regardless of their affiliations, with no specific group identified as solely responsible for the killings.

Researcher Cedric Labrousse indicated that a multitude of factions, including Syrian groups opposing the new regime and foreign jihadists, are tied to these violent operations. Following calls for mobilization, these factions have drastically increased their presence in the coastal regions, contributing to the ongoing brutality and chaos in Syria.

The assassination of former diplomat Noureddine al-Labbad highlights the escalating violence and instability in Syria, with over 1,300 civilians already deceased amid the turmoil. The establishment of a fact-finding mission aims to address these rampant human rights violations and bring perpetrators to justice. As various armed groups contribute to the ongoing violence, accountability for these atrocities remains critical to restoring peace and security in the region.

Original Source: www.abc.net.au