Damascus [Syria], March 9 (HBTV): More than 1,000 people have died in two days of clashes between Syrian security forces and allied forces against supporters of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, DW reported, citing a war monitoring group.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported casualties in over 20 locations across the Latakia, Tartus, and Hama governorates, marking one of the deadliest episodes in Syria's 14-year conflict.
According to SOHR, 745 civilians were killed, mostly in close-range shootings, along with 125 government security force personnel and 148 militants affiliated with Assad. The Observatory noted that most of the civilian casualties belonged to the country’s Alawite religious minority.
On Saturday, Syria’s interim government sent reinforcements to coastal cities in the northwest, where security forces have been engaged in intense battles with fighters loyal to Assad, according to Al Jazeera.
Security forces reported that they had regained control of much of the affected areas in Tartus and Latakia governorates, where Assad loyalists had launched coordinated attacks on checkpoints, security convoys, and military positions on Thursday.
Citing Syria’s state news agency SANA, Al Jazeera reported that an unnamed security official stated that following the attacks, many people had moved to the coastal areas seeking revenge against government forces. The official added that these actions ‘led to some individual violations, and we are working to stop them.’
A curfew remains in effect in Latakia and other coastal areas, which are predominantly home to the Alawite sect and have long been a base of support for Assad. Amid ongoing hostilities, dozens of civilians and members of the former regime, along with their families, have sought refuge at the Russian Khmeimim airbase in Latakia.
In his first public remarks since the surge in violence, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday urged the fighters to surrender, stating, ‘before it is too late,’ Al Jazeera reported. (ANI)