HRW: Syrian Rebels Committed War Crimes

Syrian rebels killed 190 civilians and seized more than 200 hostages during a military offensive in August, according to Human Rights Watch.

The organization says the deaths occurred in villages inhabited predominantly by members of President Bashar al-Assad's minority Alawite sect near the coastal city of Latakia.

It said the findings "strongly suggest" crimes against humanity were committed.

To provide victims a measure of justice, the UN Security Council should immediately refer Syria to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Human Rights Watch said.

For the report Human Rights Watch conducted an on-site investigation and interviewed more than 35 people, including residents who survived the offensive, emergency response staff, and fighters and activists on both government and opposition sides.

Human Rights Watch has also documented war crimes and crimes against humanity by Syrian government forces.

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