Hundreds dead as Syrian security forces clash with al-Assad loyalists.
Syria’s interim government has deployed reinforcements to coastal cities in the northwest, where security forces are engaged in intense clashes with fighters loyal to former leader Bashar al-Assad.
The ongoing violence, which has reportedly claimed hundreds of lives, including many civilians, marks the most significant challenge to the new government’s authority since taking power following al-Assad’s ousting in December 2024. Security forces announced on Saturday that they had regained control over large parts of Tartous and Latakia governorates, where al-Assad loyalists had launched coordinated attacks on checkpoints, security convoys, and military positions on Thursday.
According to Syria’s state news agency SANA, an unnamed security official stated that after the attacks, numerous individuals arrived in the coastal areas seeking retribution against government security forces. The official acknowledged that “some individual violations” had occurred and assured that efforts were underway to prevent further incidents. A curfew remains in effect in Latakia and other coastal regions, predominantly home to al-Assad’s Alawite minority, which has long been his support base. Amid the ongoing conflict, dozens of civilians, former regime members, and their families have sought refuge at the Russian Khmeimim base in the Latakia countryside.
In his first public address since the escalation, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday urged fighters to surrender and lay down their arms “before it is too late.” Al-Sharaa, who led opposition forces in overthrowing al-Assad after nearly 14 years of conflict, vowed that government forces would “track down the remnants of the fallen regime” and ensure they face “a fair trial.”
Reporting from Damascus, Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar told that by Saturday afternoon, the intensity of clashes had significantly diminished, though sporadic fighting continued on the outskirts of several towns. He described the rising death toll as a growing “tragedy,” emphasizing that most casualties were civilians.
On Friday night, Syrian Ministry of Defence spokesperson Hasan Abdel-Ghani said that fighters loyal to al-Assad had carried out coordinated attacks on security forces in multiple locations across Latakia and Tartous governorates, resulting in the deaths of several security personnel. He characterized the assaults as highly organized operations.
Meanwhile, UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen expressed deep concern over the unfolding situation. “While the facts are still being established, the immediate priority must be restraint from all sides and full adherence to international law protecting civilians,” he said in a statement.
“All parties must avoid actions that could escalate tensions, prolong the conflict, and worsen the suffering of affected communities. It is essential to prevent further destabilization of Syria and ensure a credible and inclusive political transition.”
‘Escalating for some time’
The surge in violence poses a significant setback for al-Sharaa’s efforts to solidify his government’s control amid ongoing Western sanctions and security threats, including the presence of Israeli troops in the southwest.
Rob Geist Pinfold, a lecturer in international security at King’s College London, remarked that the current crisis has been “building up for some time.”
“The fact that the new government under Ahmed al-Sharaa managed to maintain stability until now was quite remarkable—but this latest escalation has severely tested their authority,” he said.
“The transitional authorities must respond decisively to reaffirm their control, but they must do so without alienating the Alawite community.”
He further noted that the failure to address past abuses committed by various factions during al-Assad’s rule has left unresolved grievances, leading some to take justice into their own hands.
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