Hundreds of Alawite families have fled Syria’s coastal region, wading through rivers into Lebanon to escape sectarian killings. Witnesses describe entire families, including women and children, slaughtered as violence escalated. The clashes erupted after Syria’s government forces claimed they were attacked by remnants of the Assad regime, triggering a violent crackdown. More than 1,200 civilians, mostly Alawites, have been killed, with survivors fearing further revenge attacks. Lebanese villagers assisted the displaced families crossing the river to safety, but lack of shelter, food, and basic resources makes their future uncertain. Lebanon, already struggling with over a million Syrian refugees, faces mounting instability as more people flee across the border. While the violence has calmed, the risk for minority communities remains high.
