United Nations, March 11 (NationPress) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in the coastal regions of Syria, witnessing widespread summary executions, including the tragic death of a UN staff member, according to a UN spokesman.

The UN chief extends his condolences to the Syrian people grieving for their lost loved ones and wishes a swift recovery for the injured, stated Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for Guterres, during a daily briefing on Monday, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

“The secretary-general urges all parties to prioritize the protection of civilians and to cease inflammatory rhetoric and actions,” Dujarric noted, as Syria grapples with the aftermath of 14 years of conflict. “He emphasizes his worries about increasing tensions among communities within Syria.”

The spokesman highlighted Guterres's demand for an immediate halt to the bloodshed and for those responsible to be held accountable. It is critical to address the concerns of Syria's communities in a substantive way.

“The secretary-general acknowledges the recent announcement by the caretaker authorities regarding an investigative committee and a committee aimed at maintaining civil peace,” Dujarric remarked. “He stresses the necessity and urgency of inclusive and transparent transitional justice and reconciliation processes to achieve lasting peace in Syria.”

This statement follows reports of mass casualties and alleged extrajudicial killings in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartous, where security forces are executing operations against suspected remnants of the previous government.

On Thursday, these remnants executed a series of assaults in Latakia, resulting in the death of 16 security personnel. Government officials labeled the ambushes as premeditated.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the death toll from ongoing clashes has exceeded 1,000, including 830 civilians, based on updates available on Sunday.

“The surge in violence in Syria is significantly affecting civilians and their infrastructure,” Dujarric stated. “As of yesterday (Sunday), hundreds of individuals, including women, children, and some medical personnel, have reportedly lost their lives. Thousands have been displaced in the area, with many crossing into Lebanon.

Power outages in Latakia Governorate have disrupted water pumping, leading to the suspension of schools in both Latakia and Tartous on Sunday and Monday.

The Homs-Latakia highway remains blocked, further restricting humanitarian access. Humanitarian efforts are gravely hindered, with insecurity preventing any movement to and within coastal regions.

Critical civilian infrastructure has been severely affected, including six referral hospitals and several ambulances. Other medical establishments in the vicinity urgently require medical supplies and support.

The spokesman also pointed out that amid widespread disinformation and rising tensions, the UN chief stressed the importance of safeguarding the space for independent media and human rights organizations to conduct monitoring and verification to transparently address reports and allegations.

The UN secretary-general's special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, briefed the Security Council in closed consultations on developments and is poised to support efforts towards an inclusive, Syrian-owned and -led political transition, Dujarric stated.

The UN resident humanitarian coordinator for Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, along with the regional humanitarian coordinator for the Syria crisis, Ramanathan Balakrishnan, issued a joint statement last week urging all parties to safeguard individuals and infrastructure and to facilitate the safe, unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance.

They noted that a staff member of the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, was among those killed in Jableh on Thursday.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, on Sunday demanded a swift, transparent, and impartial investigation into all killings and violations, asserting that those responsible must be held accountable in accordance with international legal norms and standards.