The federal government of Syria says it has ended an operation within the coastal governorates of Latakia and Tartous after 4 days of combating between safety forces and pro-Assad armed fighters.
The unrest got here solely three months after the fall of Syria’s Bashar al-Assad in an offensive by opposition fighters.
Reviews from the Latakia area instructed of killings, kidnappings, theft, harassment and even public murders.
So, what occurred and who did this? Right here’s what we all know concerning the violence:
What’s occurring in Syria?
On March 6, authorities forces started deploying to the coastal cities of Syria, together with Latakia, Banias, Tartous and Jableh to combat what they dubbed “regime remnants”.
The “remnants” are pro-Assad regime fighters who’ve introduced their opposition to the brand new authorities.
The Alawite spiritual sect, from which Bashar al-Assad hails, is concentrated in these cities.
How did it begin?
On March 6, pro-Assad gunmen ambushed army personnel in and round Latakia within the northwest, killing a minimum of 16 members of the safety forces and the Ministry of Defence.
In accordance with state media, the March 6 ambushes weren’t the primary, with a number of previous assaults on authorities forces since al-Assad fell.
How many individuals have been killed or injured?
Numbers are nonetheless rising, however right here’s what we all know.
In accordance with a March 9 report by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a minimum of 1,311 folks have been killed as of Saturday night – some 830 have been civilians, 230 safety personnel from numerous branches, and about 250 armed fighters.
Al Jazeera has not been capable of independently confirm SOHR’s numbers.
Why this space particularly?
The Latakia-Tartous axis lies alongside Syria’s Mediterranean coast, with Banias and Jableh mendacity between them.
These two Alawi-majority governorates have lengthy been thought of al-Assad strongholds, with the household’s hometown, al-Qerdaha, mendacity east of Latakia.
When al-Assad fell, observers feared there could be revenge assaults in opposition to the Alawite group.
This can be why “regime remnants” selected to assault there – probably hoping to inflame sectarian tensions.
Banias additionally hosts Syria’s largest oil refinery. Armed fighters tried to assault the refinery, safety forces mentioned, however have been repelled.
Who’s combating?
State safety troops confronted armed teams led by former officers in al-Assad’s military.
There are additionally unidentified teams who went to the coast to “avenge” the ambushed safety forces, an unidentified safety official instructed Syria’s state information company.
The presence of those people, the official mentioned, had “led to some particular person violations and we’re engaged on cease them”.
Alawite group members mentioned armed teams have been harassing and kidnapping Alawite civilians.
The Syrian authorities estimates there are 5,000 armed people within the coastal space.
Who’re these ‘regime remnants’?
Movies on social media since February present former al-Assad military officer Muqdad Fteiha declaring the formation of a gaggle to counter “HTS violations” within the coastal area.
Fleiha, who was in al-Assad’s Republican Guard, claims in his message that the Alawite group is mistreated.
Different statements on social media, attributed to former al-Assad military Brigadier Basic Ghiath Suleiman Dalla, declared the formation of a “Navy Council for the Liberation of Syria” to “expel all occupying terrorist forces” and “dismantle the repressive sectarian safety equipment”.
What did Syria’s authorities say?
The escalating violence offered an enormous problem for Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
On Sunday, al-Sharaa introduced two new committees to take care of the disaster.
One is an impartial committee of judges and legal professionals to analyze the March 6 assaults and the violence that ensued and maintain these accountable accountable, in pursuit of “greater nationwide curiosity and civil peace”.
The second is a “Supreme Committee for Civil Peace”, tasked with participating with the residents of the affected areas and safeguarding their safety.
Earlier on Sunday, he spoke at a Damascus mosque, acknowledging the severity of the disaster and calling for nationwide unity.
On Friday, March 7, he reaffirmed in a televised handle his dedication to stability, and promised to pursue regime loyalists accountable for crimes and to consolidate state management over weapons.
How are civilians doing in these areas?
Individuals are scared, panic has taken over the coastal areas.
“I don’t ever go exterior and I don’t even open the home windows… There isn’t any safety right here. There isn’t any safety for Alawis,” a resident of Latakia who selected to stay nameless, instructed Al Jazeera.
Those that stay converse of dwelling in terror, fearing that armed fighters will assault them of their houses.
This piece was printed in collaboration with Egab.
