DAMASCUS:
Over 130 people have been killed as Syrian forces continue their efforts to suppress a growing insurgency led by fighters from the Alawi sect, the community of former ruler Bashar Al Assad. The violence, now in its second day, has intensified in the coastal region of Latakia, a stronghold of the pro-Assad Alawi minority.
Syrian authorities claim the unrest began when loyalists of the ousted leader Assad launched a coordinated and deadly attack on government forces. This escalation has disrupted interim President Ahmed Al Sharaa’s attempts to stabilize the country, as his administration faces challenges such as lifting US sanctions and addressing broader security threats, particularly in the southwest, where Israel has vowed to block Syrian military deployments.
In response to the violence, Syrians rallied in support of the government in Damascus and other cities. Regional allies Saudi Arabia and Turkiye also expressed their backing for the administration. Meanwhile, Russia, a former key supporter of Assad that has since sought to build ties with the new government, expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation. Moscow called on all respected leaders in Syria to take steps to end the bloodshed.
**Violence in Latakia**
Disturbing images from Al Mukhtareyah in Latakia province showed 20 men lying bloodied and lifeless by a roadside in the town center. Alawi activists attributed the killings to gunmen affiliated with the ruling authorities, though government officials and representatives of the ruling authority did not respond to requests for comment.
In a separate incident, prominent Alawi cleric Sheikh Shabaan Mansour, 86, and his son were killed in the village of Sahlab in western Syria. Local residents accused fighters aligned with the Damascus government of carrying out the attack.
**Curfews and Security Operations**
The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that “individual violations” occurred after unorganized crowds gathered in the coastal region following attacks on government security personnel. The violence escalated on Thursday when Assad-aligned militias targeted security patrols and checkpoints in the Jableh area and surrounding countryside, eventually spreading to other regions.
In response, curfews were imposed in the coastal cities of Tartous and Latakia, with security forces conducting extensive operations in these areas and nearby mountainous regions.
**Alawi Community Under Pressure**
Alawi activists have long claimed that their community has faced violence and persecution, particularly in rural Homs and Latakia, since Assad’s overthrow in December. The Alawi sect, which dominated Syria’s security apparatus and bureaucracy under Assad, has struggled to find its place in the new political landscape.
Despite interim President Sharaa’s promises of inclusivity, no significant meetings have been held between him and senior Alawi figures, unlike with leaders of other minority groups.
**Risks of Further Escalation**
While Sharaa’s government has regained control over much of Syria, critical regions such as the northeast and east remain under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The ongoing violence threatens to undermine confidence in the government’s ability to stabilize the country and navigate its complex challenges.
Joshua Landis, head of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, warned that the chaos and killings could erode trust in Sharaa’s administration both domestically and internationally.
The Alawi Islamic Council, a group of Alawi clerics, blamed the government for the violence, accusing it of sending fighters to the coast under the guise of combating “regime remnants” to terrorize and kill Syrians.
The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation as the government struggles to maintain control and address the grievances of various communities.
