Security forces loyal to the interim Syrian government ride in the back of a vehicle moving along a road in Syria's western city of Latakia . AFP
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said "the total number of civilian martyrs who were liquidated amounted to 973, including women and children", adding the "killings, field executions and ethnic cleansing operations" were ongoing in the wake of deadly clashes between security forces and Alawite gunmen loyal to toppled president Bashar al-Assad.
Syria's new leader has vowed accountability and an investigation after reports of mass killings of Alawite civilians triggered an international backlash against the worst violence since Bashar al-Assad's overthrow.
Its previous toll of 830 had specified the "executions" targeted Alawites in the Mediterranean coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus.
"We will hold accountable, firmly and without leniency, anyone who was involved in the bloodshed of civilians... or who overstepped the powers of the state," Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa said in a video posted by state news agency SANA.
Earlier Sunday, the presidency announced on Telegram that an "independent committee" had been formed to "investigate the violations against civilians and identify those responsible for them", who would face the courts.
Fighting between the new security forces and loyalists of the former government erupted last Thursday, after earlier tensions, and escalated into reported mass killings.
The fighting has killed hundreds of security forces as well as pro-Assad fighters, according to the Observatory, with the overall death toll exceeding 1,300.
Sharaa, in a separate address from a Damascus mosque, appealed for national unity.
"God willing, we will be able to live together in this country," he said.
United Nations rights chief Volker Turk said Sunday the killings "must cease immediately", while the Arab League, the United Nations, the United States, Britain and other governments have condemned the violence.
China on Monday called for all warring parties in Syria to "immediately stop" the violence.
"China follows closely the situation in Syria and is concerned about the large number of casualties caused by these armed clashes," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.
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