BEIRUT — Forces aligned with Syria’s newly established government launched assaults on various villages near the coast, resulting in the deaths of dozens of men. This move was reportedly in retaliation to recent attacks on government security forces by loyalists of the deposed President Bashar Assad. Clashes persisted from Thursday into Friday, marking the most intense violence since Assad’s overthrow in December by insurgent factions, notably including the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
The turmoil has claimed more than 200 lives since it began, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Among those killed are about 50 members of government forces, 45 Assad loyalists, and approximately 140 victims from revenge attacks in the villages. The Syrian conflict, ongoing since March 2011, has resulted in over half a million deaths and the displacement of millions.
The recent skirmishes ignited when government forces attempted to apprehend an individual near Jableh on Thursday, but were ambushed by Assad supporters, the observatory noted. On Thursday and Friday, armed men supporting the new government swept through Sheer, Mukhtariyeh, and Haffah villages, killing 69 men but sparing women, according to the observatory.
“They killed every man they encountered,” stated Rami Abdurrahman, the head of the observatory. Al-Mayadeen TV also reported on the attacks, indicating more than 30 men were killed in Mukhtariyeh alone. Meanwhile, another 60 people, including women and children, perished in the town of Baniyas.
Although Syrian authorities did not release an official death count, the state news agency SANA quoted an anonymous security officer who noted that many went to the coast to exact revenge for new attacks on government forces. The officer acknowledged “some individual violations” and stated efforts were underway to stop them.
Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa issued a video appeal urging former government-affiliated armed groups to disarm and advised supporters of the new regime to avoid civilian harm or mistreatment of prisoners. “When we compromise our ethics, we reduce ourselves to the same level as our enemy,” he stated, suggesting remnants of the old regime seek provocations for leverage.
Overnight, Damascus dispatched additional forces to coastal regions under control of Assad loyalists, including Latakia, Tartus, and villages hosting Assad’s Alawite sect. In Latakia and other coastal zones, a curfew remained in effect. Under Assad’s leadership, Alawites held predominant military and security positions, with the new government now accusing his supporters of recent attacks.
Villages like Jableh and Baniyas remained under Assad loyalist control as of Friday, reported the observatory. Assad’s hometown, Qardaha, also retained loyalist presence amid ongoing government offensives. Residents of Qardaha described the raging violence and their resulting confinement at home due to heavy gunfire.
Gregory Waters, a Middle East Institute associate fellow, remarked he didn’t foresee the violence escalating significantly but warned it might fuel cycles of violence among civilian communities in the region. He noted potential fear and paranoia among young Alawite men towards Damascus-appointed security forces.
In Damascus, supporters gathered at Umayyad Square, expressing support for the new regime. “We’ve had enough of long periods of wars and tragedies,” said retiree Mazen Abdelmajeed, calling for unity and peace.
Qutaiba Idlbi, a research fellow with the Atlantic Council, remarked on the security challenges facing the new government, highlighting the potential for heightened sectarian tensions and threats from opposition groups.
Meanwhile, many Syrians converged near a Russian airbase in Syria, appealing for Moscow’s protection. Russia, which joined Syria’s conflict in 2015 in support of Assad, has since engaged with the new government. Moscow’s foreign ministry stressed coordination efforts for swift de-escalation and affirmed its commitment to Syria’s sovereignty.
Turkey, a former ally to insurgents opposing Assad, warned that the ongoing conflict could jeopardize the new government’s stability. “Intensive efforts are underway to establish security in Syria,” Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli stated, cautioning that the fresh violence might disrupt Syria’s path to unity and solidarity.
