The Syrian government’s new authorities have installed security forces at the National Hospital in Latakia, a coastal city with a large Alawite minority population.
Visibly shaken families of victims from the recent deadly violence rushed to hospitals on Syria’s western coast. They were met by security personnel who claimed responsibility for some attacks while others seemed unclear about their role.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported at least 803 extrajudicial killings since the clashes began, including civilians and government forces involved in the conflict. Analysts say the violence has exposed the new power’s fragility, fueled by Islamist groups hostile to Alawites.
Hospital staff, predominantly Alawite, expressed concerns over the government’s approach of appeasement, which is not universally adopted by all factions. With Assad’s fall, inter-community mistrust has reached unprecedented levels, with doctors saying they are trapped in a situation where fear for their safety prevails.
Fears persist among hospital workers, who believe security forces have become entrenched and unwieldy, hindering trust in the government.
Source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-grief-and-fear-latakia-hospital