ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Syrian security forces and allied groups have killed over 970 civilians, including women and children, in a series of “massacres” in western coastal regions of the war-ravaged country since March, a war monitor reported in the latest tally update.

"The total number of civilian martyrs who were liquidated amounted to 973, including women and children", adding the "killings, field executions, and ethnic cleansing operations" were ongoing in the wake of deadly clashes between security forces and Alawite gunmen loyal to ousted Assad.

Deadly clashes between the new security forces and Assad loyalists broke out last Thursday, after earlier tensions, and escalated into reported mass killings.

The incident induced responses from many regional and international entities, with Iraq, Iran, European countries, the US, and UN condemning the killing of civilians by the security forces in the altercations.

United Nations rights chief Volker Turk said Sunday the killings "must cease immediately.”

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to “hold accountable” anyone involved “in the bloodshed of civilians."

"We will hold accountable, firmly and without leniency, anyone who was involved in the bloodshed of civilians... or who overstepped the powers of the state,” Sharaa said in a video posted by state news agency SANA.

Earlier Sunday, the presidency announced on Telegram that an "independent committee" had been formed to "investigate the violations against civilians and identify those responsible for them", who would face the courts.

Sharaa, in a separate address from a Damascus mosque, appealed for national unity.

"God willing, we will be able to live together in this country," he said.