URGENT: Assad's Downfall Sparks Panic Among Syria's Minority Groups.

BREAKING NEWS: Assad's Downfall Sparks Panic Among Syria's Minority Groups Syrian minority groups are living in fear as a wave of sectarian killings sweeps the country following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. Two Christian cousins, Wissam and Shafiq Mansour, were shot dead in their village in western Syria on October 1. The killings in Anaz, a village in Homs province, are the latest in a series of targeted attacks on Alawites, the sect of the ousted president. Locals claim the gunman came from a nearby Sunni Muslim village. The victims' families and community leaders are calling for action from the authorities to protect minority groups. "People are being killed for being Alawites," said Adnan Al Ezzeldin, a local resident. The situation is dire, with many minority groups fearing for their lives. "This is a time of great uncertainty and fear," said a local Christian leader, who wished to remain anonymous. The international community is closely watching the situation, with many calling for calm and restraint. The United Nations has condemned the killings and urged all parties to respect human rights. This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.