Opposition parties have urged Turkey’s government to intervene diplomatically as Damascus faces accusations of killing hundreds of Alawite civilians amid escalating violence in Syria, Turkish media outlets reported on Friday.
Özgür Özel, leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), expressed deep concern over violence in Syria’s coastal region, particularly in Latakia, where clashes have intensified between government forces and pro-Assad groups. Özel appealed to the Turkish government to actively engage with Damascus to prevent civilian casualties.
“The atmosphere of false optimism promoted by the government has collapsed,” Özel said. “Turkey must immediately pursue decisive diplomatic efforts with the Damascus administration to protect civilians.”
The Workers’ Party of Turkey condemned Syria’s new government, accusing it of targeting the country’s Alawite minority under the guise of operations against remnants of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The party urged Turkey to distance itself from the Damascus government, demanding an end to Ankara’s silence on alleged sectarian massacres.
“Alawite communities in Syria cannot be marginalized or punished under the pretext of operations against the former regime,” the party said, calling on the international community to oppose sectarian violence and support a democratic, secular Syria.
The calls came as the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least 340 Alawite civilians were executed by Syrian security forces and allied groups in recent days following deadly clashes in the Latakia region. The total death toll rose to 553, including government soldiers and pro-Assad fighters.
Footage shared by activists on social media depicted apparent summary executions and widespread looting.
In Turkey’s southern cities of Adana and Hatay, hundreds protested Saturday what they condemned as recent massacres targeting Alawites in Syria’s coastal regions.
Demonstrators slammed Turkey’s support for the administration in Damascus and accused Ankara of turning a blind eye to violence against civilians.
“We call on Turkey to raise its voice against this massacre at the highest level,” said Yakup Ataş, chairman of the Human Rights Association’s Adana branch. CHP lawmakers attending the demonstrations urged the Turkish government to immediately take action to halt the killings.
Meanwhile, Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa called on Alawite insurgents loyal to ousted President al-Assad to surrender, following clashes that left hundreds dead along Syria’s Mediterranean coast.
Al-Sharaa accused Alawite fighters of committing “an unforgivable mistake” by opposing his Islamist-led administration, which seized power from Assad last December.
On Friday alone Syria’s security forces reportedly executed at least 162 Alawite civilians, prompting international condemnation.
The United Nations expressed alarm over the violence, urging all sides to avoid actions that could destabilize Syria further.