The Syrian Defence Ministry has declared the completion of a significant military operation in the country's western coastal region, following several days of violent clashes that resulted in the deaths of hundreds. This military initiative aimed to restore order and stability in areas heavily affected by recent unrest, particularly in the provinces of Latakia and Tartous.
According to a ministry spokesperson, the operation successfully neutralized loyalists of former president Bashar al-Assad across multiple towns in the affected regions. The spokesperson asserted that the security forces had cleared out residual elements of the former regime from key locations such as al-Mukhtareyah, al-Mazairaa, and the al-Zobar area in Latakia, as well as Dalia, Tanita, and Qadmous in Tartous. This decisive action was intended to eliminate threats and pave the way for the restoration of normal life.
A monitoring group has reported a staggering death toll of over 1,400 individuals since Thursday, with 973 being civilians. The violence has been exacerbated by allegations of revenge killings executed by gunmen loyal to the Sunni Islamist-led government against members of the Alawite sect, to which many of the previous regime's elite belonged. This surge in violence was ignited by a deadly ambush on a security patrol in the town of Jableh, where at least 13 officers lost their lives.
In the aftermath of these events, security forces intensified their operations, storming various Alawite towns and villages. Eyewitness reports indicated that these actions included acts of revenge, leading to widespread looting and killings. Disturbing footage circulated on social media, depicting the bodies of numerous civilians piled in a yard in al-Mukhtareyah.
Accounts from residents paint a harrowing picture of the ongoing violence. Hiba, an Alawite woman from Baniyas, recounted a traumatic experience where government-affiliated Chechen fighters attacked her neighborhood, resulting in the deaths of her neighbors, including children. "They took everything, gold, everything... They even went to the supermarket and took everything from the shelves," she said, expressing the sheer terror that gripped her community.
Another resident shared that his family member was abducted from their home by gunmen affiliated with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). His mother, mistakenly opening the door, faced immediate danger, leading to the kidnapping of her son, who has since disappeared. Many residents remain in hiding, fearful of venturing outside due to the ongoing threats.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring organization, reported that the death toll has surpassed 1,450 across Latakia, Tartous, Hama, and Homs provinces. Among the deceased are 973 civilians, 231 security personnel, and 250 pro-Assad fighters. Furthermore, security sources revealed that approximately 300 security personnel have been killed during these violent confrontations.
In a troubling development, state news agency Sana reported the discovery of a mass grave containing the bodies of security personnel in the hometown of the former president, Qardaha. This has raised further alarm about the extent of the violence and human rights violations taking place in the region.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk has expressed grave concern over reports of entire families being executed in a sectarian manner. He emphasized the urgent need for Syria's interim authorities to take immediate action to protect civilians and ensure accountability for those responsible for these heinous acts.
The situation in Syria remains dire, as the country grapples with the aftermath of violence and the ongoing struggle for stability and security. The international community continues to watch closely, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the safety and rights of all civilians caught in this conflict.
