UN chief alarmed by mass killings in Syria’s coastal region: Spokesman. Death toll from ongoing clashes had surpassed 1,000, including 830 civilians, as per the toll updated on Sunday. Thousands have reportedly been displaced in the area, and thousands have crossed into Lebanon. Power outages in Latakia Governorate disrupted water pumping, and schools inLatakia and Tartous were suspended on Sunday and Monday. Humanitarian operations remain severely disrupted, with insecurity halting all movements to and within coastal areas. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Sunday called for a prompt, transparent and impartial investigation into all the killings and other violations. He said those responsible must be held to account, in line with international law norms and standards. The statement comes amid reports of mass casualties and alleged extrajudicial executions in Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia, Tartous and Jableh, where security forces are conducting operations against suspected remnants of the former government. They said a staff member of the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, was among those killed on Thursday.