Tensions in Syria’s coastal region have escalated, resulting in violent clashes between government forces and loyalists of former President Bashar Assad. The fighting, which began on Thursday and continued into Friday, has led to over 70 fatalities as hostilities intensify.
The conflict saw pro-Assad gunmen attacking Alawite-majority villages, including Sheer, Mukhtariyeh, and Haffah, reportedly killing nearly 70 men while sparing women and children. In response, the new government in Damascus deployed reinforcements in an attempt to stabilize the situation. Concerns over potential sectarian violence have prompted authorities to impose curfews in Latakia and other areas.
In a separate incident, gunmen loyal to Assad ambushed a Syrian police patrol in Jableh, killing at least 13 officers and wounding several others. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 16 police officers, 28 pro-Assad fighters, and three civilians were killed in the clashes. Meanwhile, pro-Assad forces have reportedly taken control of Qardaha, Assad’s former hometown, as the situation continues to evolve.
State media has confirmed the deployment of additional reinforcements to the region and the enforcement of a curfew in Tartus. As tensions between Alawite and Sunni factions persist, fears of sectarian violence grow despite the new government’s calls for restraint.
Russia, which maintains a military presence in Syria, has assured the safety of its forces, while Turkey has warned that the ongoing instability could hinder efforts to restore unity in the region. The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected in the coming days.