The coastal provinces of Tartous and Latakia have been gripped by unrest as remnants of the former Assad regime instigate violence and sectarian tension amidst Iranian incitement. Syrian authorities are responding with extensive security campaigns to restore stability and hold those responsible for crimes against civilians accountable.
Security Campaigns Underway
Lt. Col. Mustafa Kneifati, Director of the General Security Administration (GSA) in Latakia, announced that security forces have launched targeted operations across the governorate following the expiration of a deadline for surrendering weapons and settling legal statuses.
“These campaigns targeted criminal gang leaders and their members who terrorized people, stole their property, and extorted them,” Kneifati stated. “We vow to act decisively against threats to citizen security and hold fugitive war criminals accountable.”
Several gang leaders have been arrested, and stolen goods have been confiscated and will be returned to their rightful owners. Kneifati emphasized that the GSA remains committed to pursuing all fugitives who refused to surrender.
Escalation of Violence
Tensions escalated in the village of Kharbat al-Muazza in Tartous, where remnants of Assad’s forces ambushed personnel from the Command of Military Operations (CMO). The clashes resulted in casualties among CMO and Public Security forces, with 14 Ministry of Interior personnel killed and 10 injured in a separate ambush.
Additionally, sectarian protests erupted in Tartous and Homs after the circulation of an old video showing the assault on a religious shrine associated with the Alawite sect in Aleppo. The Syrian transitional authorities and religious leaders clarified that the video was from an earlier incident during Aleppo’s liberation and urged calm, emphasizing that its redistribution was a deliberate attempt to incite strife. “The goal of republishing such clips is to stir up sectarian tensions at a sensitive stage,” said the Syrian Transitional Government (STG) Ministry of Interior.
Demonstrations and Public Support
Despite attempts to sow discord, widespread demonstrations across Syria have expressed support for the STG and security forces’ efforts to neutralize remnants of the former regime. In Latakia, Tartous, and Homs, citizens gathered to denounce sectarian incitement and demand the arrest of those attempting to destabilize the region.
Residents in Latakia City staged a demonstration backing the CMO and GSA’s actions. In Dreikish, members of the Alawite community protested against sectarianism promoted by remnants of the Assad regime. “The free Syrian people will not be drawn into sectarian strife,” said Governor Muhammad Uthman of Latakia. “We are committed to maintaining civil peace and social cohesion.”
Restoring Order
Authorities are engaging local leaders and community figures to foster dialogue and prevent further unrest. Following a meeting between officials and Alawite notables in Homs, a statement called on community members to hand over weapons within five days and emphasized the importance of resisting foreign agendas. Governor Ahmad Al-Shami of Tartous urged residents to work together to build “a new, free Syria” and to reject attempts to stir discord.
Ongoing Pursuit of Justice
In addition to restoring order, authorities are focused on bringing fugitive members of the Assad regime to justice. The CMO has opened settlement centers in Latakia, Homs, and Tartous for former regime personnel to surrender and resolve their status.
Human rights activists have cautioned against unverified reports of deaths among former regime figures, noting that such misinformation could enable perpetrators to evade justice by assuming new identities. “We are committed to prosecuting all those whose hands are stained with the blood of innocents or who have committed crimes that affect the dignity and security of our citizens,” Kneifati stated.
A Unified Syria
As calm gradually returns to Syria’s coastal provinces, residents and authorities remain vigilant against further attempts to destabilize the region. Efforts to rebuild trust and ensure justice are critical as Syrians strive to overcome the legacy of decades of oppression and violence under the Assad regime. While clashes and security operations are ongoing the Syrian people remain steadfast.
