Bayda and Baniyas massacres

Bayda and Baniyas massacres
Part of the Syrian civil war
LocationBayda and Baniyas, Tartus Governorate, Syria
Date2–3 May 2013
Attack type
Shootout/Massacre
Deaths51–100 or 150-250 (Bayda), 77–145 or 150-200 (Baniyas), up to 450 in total
At least 13 SAA/NDF/Shabiha members
Perpetrators Syrian Army
National Defense Force
Shabiha[1]

The Bayda and Baniyas massacres were two widely reported massacres that occurred in May 2013 in the village of Bayda and the city of Baniyas, in Tartus Governorate, Syria, where Syrian Army troops, supported by paramilitaries, killed civilians in the predominantly Sunni locales. The killings were supposedly in retaliation for an earlier rebel attack near the town that left at least half a dozen soldiers dead.[2]

There were reports of whole families being killed in the two massacres 2–3 May, and thousands were attempting to flee the area.[3] At least 100 people were killed, while others say that number exceeds 400.[4] Human Rights Watch put the number of dead at 248[5] in mass summary executions.[6] According to a UN report, between 300 and 450 people were killed (150-250 respectively 150–200).[7] Survivors have testified that it was regular troops, backed by the paramilitary National Defence Force (NDF), that entered the village and began "a murderous attack: burning, looting and killing".[1]

  1. ^ a b Pannell, Ian (2013-05-28). "BBC News - Syrian activists document al-Bayda and Baniyas 'massacre'". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-10-21.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference heartland was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Peter Beaumont. "The Guardian, 4 May 2013". Guardian. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
  4. ^ "Syria's civil war: The bloody stalemate persists". Economist.com. 2013-05-11. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
  5. ^ AFP (2013-09-13). "Syrian forces executed 248 in two villages in May: HRW". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
  6. ^ HRW
  7. ^ Nebehay, Stephanie (2013-09-11). "Syrian forces responsible for Banias massacres: U.N. report". News.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2014-01-06.

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