section_path: Violence and massacres/March/17 March
section_name: 17 March
paragraph_text: 17 March
  
  On 17 March, SOHR said massacres were committed in Latakia and Tartus mainly against Alawite Syrians, killing fifty-seven (including 26 in Sonobar), increasing the number of reported civilians massacred since 6 March to 1,557.
  
  SOHR also claimed that internet and telecommunication services from Syriatel and MTN were suddenly shut down in Tartus and Lataika Governorates, forcing the suspension of local business and service operations. It said the shutdown exacerbated existing humanitarian adversity in the region, and alarmed locals to the possibility of a new military and security operation targeting the Syrian coastal region.