More than 70 people lost their lives, and dozens sustained injuries in intense clashes between Syrian security forces and armed factions loyal to former ruler Bashar al-Assad in Latakia province. The confrontation, which erupted in Jableh, is considered one of the deadliest since Assad’s regime fell in December 2024.
Security forces launched operations to dismantle pro-Assad groups that were regrouping in the coastal region. The violence escalated when militants affiliated with Suhail al-Hassan, a former commander under Assad known as “The Tiger,” attacked security patrols and checkpoints. In response, government forces carried out helicopter strikes on a village in Latakia.
Latakia’s security director, Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kunaifati, stated that the militants were former loyalists of al-Hassan, who had played a key role in military operations during Assad’s rule. The situation remains tense, with security reinforcements being deployed in Jableh to prevent further escalation.
Reports suggest that Alawite community leaders, who were once staunch supporters of Assad, have accused security forces of targeting civilians during the strikes. The unrest highlights Syria’s continuing instability following Assad’s ouster, which occurred after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels captured Damascus, bringing an end to the Assad family’s five-decade rule.
As Assad fled the country in the final hours before Damascus fell, Syria’s new leadership pledged to establish an inclusive government. However, concerns persist regarding the Islamist affiliations of the new rulers, raising uncertainties about the nation’s future.
