Syrian security forces have been accused of killing hundreds of civilians from the Alawite minority in the ongoing violence along the country's coast, the BBC reported.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said some 745 civilians were killed in 30 "massacres" targeting Alawites on Friday (07.03) and Saturday (08.03).

According to reports, hundreds of people fled their homes in the region, a traditional stronghold of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who also belongs to the Alawite community.

In total, more than 1,000 people have died in the past two days, SOHR reports, making it the deadliest episode of violence in Syria since the overthrow of the Assad regime in December.

That figure includes dozens of government soldiers and militias loyal to Assad who have been involved in heavy clashes in the coastal provinces of Lattakia and Tartus since Thursday.

According to the SOHR report, 125 members of the Islamist-led government security forces and 148 pro-Assad fighters have been killed in the violence.

A Syrian Defense Ministry spokesman told the state news agency SANA that the government had regained control after "treacherous attacks" on security forces.

Fear and mass civilian flight

The violence has left the Alawite community in a "state of terror", an activist from the region told the BBC on Friday, with hundreds of civilians fleeing the affected areas.

Large crowds have sought refuge at the Russian military base of Hmeimim in Latakia.

Video footage shared by Reuters showed dozens of people chanting "the people want Russian protection" outside the military base.

Meanwhile, dozens of families have fled to neighboring Lebanon, local media report.---

Reaction of the international community

The UN special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed deep concern over "extremely disturbing reports of civilian casualties" in the country's coastal areas.

He called on all parties to refrain from actions that could destabilize Syria and jeopardize the possibility of a credible and inclusive political transition.

The Alawites, whose sect is an offshoot of Shiism, make up about 10 percent of Syria's population, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim. | BGNES