Clashes Intensify in Latakia as Syrian Forces Engage Remnants of Assad Regime

Syrian forces have engaged in violent confrontations in Latakia province, resulting in at least 13 military casualties and heightened tensions in a region pivotal to the Alawite community. The current government warns former regime fighters to surrender amid ongoing military operations.

Syrian forces loyal to the newly established government in Damascus have been involved in intense conflicts against remnants of the toppled Assad regime in Latakia province, a coastal area in the north-west of the country. State television reports indicate that at least 13 soldiers have lost their lives in the recent clashes, which are near a Russian-controlled airbase. As a response to the escalating violence, authorities have imposed a curfew lasting until Friday morning.

These confrontations represent some of the most severe hostilities faced by forces aligned with Syria's Islamist government since the downfall of Bashar al-Assad last December. Fighting is particularly concentrated in coastal regions, which are significant to the Alawite community and remain a stronghold for the Assad family. Activists from the Alawite community have reported increasing violence and attacks in areas such as rural Homs and Latakia since Assad's ouster.

State news agency Sana reported that substantial military reinforcements were heading toward the city of Jableh. On Thursday, reports from the Syria-based Step news agency indicated that pro-government forces had killed around 70 former regime fighters, with more than 25 others captured in the Jableh area. According to the AFP news agency, 28 Assad loyalists were killed, citing monitoring sources, and confirmed the use of helicopters in targeting operations. These figures have yet to be independently verified by the BBC.

Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani, a representative from Syria's defense ministry, issued a stern warning to Assad loyalists via state media, urging them to surrender. "Thousands have chosen to surrender their weapons and return to their families, while some insist on fleeing and dying in defense of murderers and criminals. The choice is clear: lay down your weapons or face your inevitable fate," he stated.

The situation is becoming a significant security challenge for the interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is also dealing with unrest in the south, where clashes with Druze forces have recently occurred. Earlier this week, Syria's foreign minister assured the global chemical weapons watchdog of the new government's intention to eliminate any remaining stockpiles from the Assad era, despite past denials of using chemical weapons during the prolonged civil conflict, with activists alleging several chemical attacks conducted by the regime.