The Observatory blamed the killings on the National Defense Forces (NDF), a new paramilitary group made up mostly of fighters from minorities that back Assad.
Trained and often directed by the military, the NDF describes itself as a reserve force for the army. The group has taken over the regionalized role of more informal Alawite militias known as shabbiha, which were accused of previous massacres of Sunnis.
May justice swiftly pursue those responsible for this massacre.
[Update (20 May): The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights now says 145 were murdered by pro-Assad thugs in this massacre. "145 civilians (34 children, 40 women, 71 men) killed in the Banias massacre". May justice swiftly pursue the murderers.]
