Foreign minister says Israel's warnings over new Islamist rulers were accurate after over 1,000 killed in Alawite enclave; Sharaa dismisses Israel's accusations as 'nonsense'
Syria has suffered its worst bloodshed since Bashar al-Assad was toppled from power, with more than 1,000 people reported killed in violence that has swept the coastal region since Thursday.
Defence Ministry spokesman says security threats have been neutralised in al-Assad strongholds of Latakia and Tartous.
Fighting erupted on Thursday between Syria's new security forces and loyalists of the former government of toppled president Bashar al-Assad, a long-time Tehran ally.
The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the recent deadly attacks on civilians in Syria, saying the violation of rights of Alawites has hurt feelings.
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Sharaa blamed pro-Assad groups backed by foreigners for triggering the bloodshed but acknowledged that revenge killings had followed.
U.S. President Donald Trump has given a stunning reply when asked why he was not concerned by Russia, Iran and China's annual joint military exercise. Trump said that the U.S. was more powerful than its adversaries.
Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to hold anyone involved in harming civilians accountable after days of clashes where Syrian security forces allegedly killed hundreds of civilians from the Alawite religious minority. A UK-based monitor said 830 civilians were killed in "massacres" targeting Alawites on the west coast on Friday and Saturday.
A newly formed armed Syrian group called the Islamic Resistance Front in Syria, pledged to counter efforts by the United States, Israel and Turkey to divide the country following the fall of Assad.