The recent violence underscores the ongoing instability in the region following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
**Deadly Conflict Erupts in Latakia Province Amid Power Struggles**
**Deadly Conflict Erupts in Latakia Province Amid Power Struggles**
Heavy clashes in Syria reveal growing tensions as forces loyal to the new government confront remnants of the Assad regime.
The aftermath of Bashar al-Assad's regime continues to reverberate through Syria, as loyalist forces clash fiercely with remnants of his rule in the coastal province of Latakia. Reports indicate that at least 13 soldiers lost their lives in the fighting, which erupted near a Russian-controlled airbase. This confrontation marks one of the most intense periods of violence directed at Assad's loyalists in the wake of his ousting in December.
A curfew has been imposed in the area until Friday morning in response to the escalating situation. According to Alawite activists, the community, which has been a stronghold of the Assad family, is facing increasing violence and assaults, especially in rural regions such as Homs and Latakia. State media outlet Sana has reported the deployment of "huge military reinforcements" to the strategic city of Jableh.
Emerging from the conflict, the Step news agency noted that government-associated forces have reportedly claimed the lives of "about 70" former regime fighters, with over 25 captured. In addition, monitoring agencies reported that 28 gunmen loyal to Assad were killed in confrontations, with military helicopters being utilized for airstrikes in the area.
In a stern statement, Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani from Syria’s defense ministry conveyed a resolute message to the remnants of the Assad loyalists. He characterized the situation as one of stark choices: "Thousands have chosen to surrender their weapons and return to their families, while some insist on fleeing and dying in defense of murderers and criminals."
The turbulent region now presents a significant security hurdle for interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is concurrently managing unrest in southern Syria, marked by recent clashes involving Druze forces. Amid this turmoil, Syria’s foreign minister assured the global chemical weapons watchdog of the new government's commitment to eliminating any remaining arsenals from the previous regime, despite long-standing denials from Assad’s government regarding the use of chemical weapons throughout the prolonged civil conflict.
A curfew has been imposed in the area until Friday morning in response to the escalating situation. According to Alawite activists, the community, which has been a stronghold of the Assad family, is facing increasing violence and assaults, especially in rural regions such as Homs and Latakia. State media outlet Sana has reported the deployment of "huge military reinforcements" to the strategic city of Jableh.
Emerging from the conflict, the Step news agency noted that government-associated forces have reportedly claimed the lives of "about 70" former regime fighters, with over 25 captured. In addition, monitoring agencies reported that 28 gunmen loyal to Assad were killed in confrontations, with military helicopters being utilized for airstrikes in the area.
In a stern statement, Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani from Syria’s defense ministry conveyed a resolute message to the remnants of the Assad loyalists. He characterized the situation as one of stark choices: "Thousands have chosen to surrender their weapons and return to their families, while some insist on fleeing and dying in defense of murderers and criminals."
The turbulent region now presents a significant security hurdle for interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is concurrently managing unrest in southern Syria, marked by recent clashes involving Druze forces. Amid this turmoil, Syria’s foreign minister assured the global chemical weapons watchdog of the new government's commitment to eliminating any remaining arsenals from the previous regime, despite long-standing denials from Assad’s government regarding the use of chemical weapons throughout the prolonged civil conflict.
