Violence erupts in Syria: more than 100 dead in first clashes since fall of Assad
Fighting between Syrian security forces and militias loyal to the regime has revived uncertainty in the country and a curfew has been declared
BeirutMore than 100 people have been killed in recent days in clashes between Syrian security forces and militias loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad in the country's coastal region, where a curfew has been imposed in Latakia and Tartus due to the intensity of the fighting, the Syrian Observatory reported yesterday.
The clashes, centered in the cities of Jableh and Baniyas, have displaced hundreds of families, further aggravating the humanitarian crisis in the area and representing one of the greatest military challenges for the new Syrian government, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa. The situation has raised uncertainty about regime stability in a key region for Damascus loyalists.
The clashes began after an attempt by security forces to arrest a former senior intelligence commander, Suheil Salman al-Hassan, accused of war crimes under the Assad regime, around Jableh. This led to an ambush by armed groups allied to the former leadership. Several coastal towns, traditionally bastions of support for the Assad family, have since slipped from government control, demonstrating a rift within the ranks of those who had held the new regime firmly in place.
Syrian authorities have launched a large-scale sweep operation in the region aimed at quelling the uprising. However, violence has rapidly escalated and fighting has left dozens dead among government troops and fighters loyal to Assad. The situation on the Syrian coast, which until now remained relatively stable compared to other conflict regions, has become a flashpoint that could upset the country's internal balance.
The government's use of force has included bombings in certain rural areas and the deployment of elite troops to regain control. However, fighters loyal to Al Assad have shown unexpected resistance, which has made the operation difficult.
The administration of Ahmad al Sharaa, which is assuming power in a context already marked by crises
The government, which faces economic, ethnic and international pressures, faces multiple challenges, including agreements with Kurdish militias in the northeast of the country and managing the presence of foreign forces in Syrian territory. The current rebellion on the coast adds a new element of instability that tests its capacity for control and leadership.
Moreover, the government's response to these clashes will be key to measuring its room for maneuver against former allies of Al Assad, some of whom still maintain power and influence within the security apparatus. If the government fails to restore order quickly, it could face further challenges from groups that, although loyal to the regime in the past, have begun to act autonomously.
Clashes that show that the internal conflict is alive
The Syrian Interior Ministry has insisted that the situation is under control and that fighting will cease in the coming days, but images posted on social media show a different reality: deserted streets, damaged buildings and makeshift barricades in several parts of the affected cities. The ability of the authorities to impose their dominance over the region will be a test of fire for the new leadership in Damascus.
The Syrian coast is not only a strategic region due to its connection to the Mediterranean, but also a symbolic territory for the regime. The Assad family, of Alawite origin, has enjoyed strong support in this area, and the fracture of that support could generate significant changes in the dynamics of the Syrian conflict. In addition, the violence has generated reactions in other parts of the country, with demonstrations of support for the government in cities such as Hama and Homs, demonstrations that suggest a growing social concern about the possibility of a new phase of instability.
Meanwhile, Turkey, the main ally of the new Damascus government, is closely watching developments, fearing further refugee displacement and a possible resurgence of insurgent groups in other parts of the country.
The outcome of this crisis will have implications not only for governance in Syria, but also for the perception that the international community will have of the new government. While Damascus tries to project an image of stability and control, the current clashes show that the internal conflict is far from resolved and that loyalties to Syria remain fragile and shifting.