On March 6, pro-Assad forces attacked security personnel in Syria’s Lattakia region, leading to a cycle of violence with numerous casualties among civilians and extrajudicial killings. The emergence of the Military Council for the Liberation of Syria has intensified hostilities, reflecting ongoing tensions between regime loyalists and rival armed groups. In response, the interim government is working to stabilize the region and ensure accountability for recent atrocities.
On March 6, an armed group loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad ambushed security forces in Beit Ana village in the Lattakia countryside, causing casualties among the service members. The assailants then targeted an ambulance attempting to retrieve the injured, prompting a large-scale retaliation from security forces. Artillery shelling and helicopter strikes ensued, with coordinated attacks launched by Assad loyalists across Lattakia and Tartus, resulting in a violent cycle that included extrajudicial killings within the Alawite community across multiple provinces.
The clashes were instigated coinciding with the formation of the Military Council for the Liberation of Syria, a pro-Assad entity aiming to combat what it refers to as “terrorist forces,” namely the transitional authorities. Under the leadership of Brigadier General Ghiath Dalla, a key affiliate of the Assad regime, the council’s creation marks a significant escalation in hostilities. Previously, there had been numerous incidents between regime forces and anti-Assad factions since the regime’s fall in December 2024.
The recent spike in violence can be attributed to the transitional authorities’ struggle to govern a fragmented Syria while managing rival armed groups, including foreign Islamist fighters and former Syrian National Army members, who harbor deep animosities towards the Alawite community linked to the prior regime. The rapid integration of these varied factions into the national forces has been disorganized, leading to further unrest fueled by regime loyalists who seek to impede the transition and escape accountability for war crimes.
Civilian casualties from these confrontations remain ambiguous, with various organizations reporting 803 to 1,093 extrajudicial killings occurring from March 6 to March 10. This death toll compares unfavorably to prior atrocities during the Assad regime’s offensives, indicating a troubling resurgence of violence amidst ongoing hostilities.
In response to the violence, Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced on March 9 the establishment of a committee to investigate the killings, promising accountability for those responsible for the mass executions. Concurrently, authorities are expected to deploy more disciplined security troops to stabilize the coastal regions. However, the transitional government faces significant challenges as mistrust from minority communities could provide opportunities for renewed armed opposition.
The recent agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, which seeks to integrate Kurdish forces into state mechanisms and enforce a ceasefire, reflects efforts to mitigate community concerns. Additionally, on March 13, al-Sharaa implemented a constitutional declaration aimed at establishing judicial safeguards for the political transition. While a complete resurgence of the Military Council for the Liberation of Syria seems unlikely, the coordinated nature of recent attacks suggests the potential for future unrest as regional powers may also seek to exploit the instability to influence the evolving political landscape.
The recent ambush by pro-Assad forces in Syria’s coastal region has led to significant violence, resulting in a tragic toll on civilians and shaking the stability of the transitional government. As communal tensions rise, the government’s efforts to investigate and stabilize the situation are crucial for preventing further unrest. The establishment of frameworks for transitional justice and agreements with minority groups may provide the necessary foundation for rebuilding trust amidst a complex landscape of armed factions and regional interests.
Original Source: acleddata.com
