Assad forces and pro-regime militia killed at least 248 people including women and children in one of the deadliest attacks since the start of the conflict in Syria, a report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Friday.
The killings took place in the towns of al-Bayda and Baniyas in the north of Syria on May 2 and 3, the report stated.
According to the NGO, the investigation was based on video evidence and interviews with 15 residents from al-Bayda and 5 from Baniyas, as well as witnesses who said they saw or heard government and pro-government forces detaining and then executing their relatives.
"While the world's attention is on ensuring that Syria's government can no longer use chemical weapons against its population, we shouldn't forget that Syrian government forces have used conventional means to slaughter civilians," Joe Stork, acting Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said.
Since the uprising against President Assad began in 2011, more than 100,000 people have died.
1,429 people including 426 children were killed during an August 21 chemical attack in the suburbs of capital Damascus, according to US figures.
The Syrian government denies allegations holding it responsible, blaming rebels instead.
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