ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Qais al-Khazali, leader of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq (AAH), on Saturday expressed concern over the violent escalations in Syria and the killing of civilians at the hands of security forces, saying the international community’s silence is “unacceptable”.

Bloody clashes erupted after loyalists of the ousted president Bashar al-Assad attacked security forces in the country’s western coastal region on Thursday, prompting a violent response from the new Damascus authorities.

“With great concern, we follow the escalation of violence in Syria, particularly in areas controlled by armed groups known for their terrorist history, and currently ensconced under the guise of security forces,” Khazali said in a statement on Saturday.

Syria’s western coastal region is heavily populated by the members of the Alawite minority - an ethno-religious group closely associated with the Assad family. Hundreds have been killed for their religious affiliations in “acts of retaliation” across Syria since the start of 2025.

Members of the Syrian defense ministry and internal security forces have carried out “public executions” in several parts of the country since Thursday, killing at least 530 civilians accused of siding with the insurgents, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

Khazali called on international forces, including “active and inactive countries in the Syrian arena” to step up and assume their responsibilities in order to stop “the violations and protect Alawite civilians.”

Syria’s recently-appointed interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Friday delivered a speech amid the rising escalations, describing the loyalists’ attacks as “an unforgivable sin” and calling on them to surrender “before it is too late.”

Syria’s Defense Ministry on Saturday announced that they were “closing roads leading to the coast and returning people not assigned to military tasks,” adding that soldiers and security personnel who overstepped instructions during the recent military operation will be referred to martial court.

The Iraqi government, closely aligned with Iran, supported Assad’s regime, and has been hesitant in establishing ties with the new authorities in Syria. 

The Iraqi foreign ministry said Baghdad is following the ongoing security developments in Syria “with great concern,” expressing its “absolute rejection of targeting innocent civilians.” The ministry urged all parties to exercise restraint, engage in dialogue, and adopt “peaceful solutions instead of military escalation”

At least 120 insurgents and 93 members of security forces were killed in two days of fighting in Syria, according to SOHR.