The government of Syria has concluded a security operation in the western coastal region, which is a stronghold of former leader Bashar al-Assad’s loyalists. According to a report by the Ministry of Defence in Damascus, security threats in Latakia and Tartous provinces have been neutralized. Thousands of individuals, among them many civilians, have lost their lives in days of violence that raised international alarm.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has vowed to bring to justice those responsible for the violent clashes and is forming an independent committee to investigate the violence on both sides. The government’s spokesperson, Hassan Abdul Ghani, declared that the security forces were successful in defending against the attacks from the remnants of the previous regime and managing to secure key locations.

Despite relative calm following al-Assad’s ousting in December, instability and violence are resurging in Syria. Security forces in Damascus repayed an attack on a checkpoint and arrested two attackers aiming at a government building. The origin of the attackers is yet to be determined.

The fighting along the Mediterranean coast began last week due to coordinated attacks by pro-Assad forces on the new government’s security forces, escalating into widespread violence and revenge killings. Reports indicate that around a thousand civilians were killed in the conflict.

Iran, a longtime ally of al-Assad, denies any involvement in the violence, describing accusations as “completely ridiculous” and “a deviant trend.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the attacks on minority populations in Syria.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/10/syria-announces-end-of-military-operation-against-al-assad-loyalists?traffic_source=rss