Syria’s Defense Ministry has announced the end of military operations against loyalists of ousted President Bashar al-Assad in the country’s coastal region, concluding one of the bloodiest conflicts in over a decade.
The fighting, which erupted after an ambush on a Syrian security patrol last week, triggered days of brutal clashes and widespread revenge killings. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), nearly 1,000 civilians, including women and children, have been killed, making it one of the deadliest episodes in Syria’s 14-year conflict.
Sectarian tensions drive bloodshed
The violence began when pro-Assad militants attacked a government security convoy in Latakia, a former stronghold of the Assad family. The clashes quickly spread to Tartus, Hama, and Homs, regions historically associated with Syria’s Alawite minority, to which Assad belonged.
While the government claims to have regained control, reports suggest that revenge attacks against Alawite communities escalated, with SOHR describing the violence as “ethnic cleansing.” Homes were torched, civilians were executed in the streets, and entire families were displaced.
“The attacks were not just military engagements; they were systematic targeting of Alawite civilians,” said Rami Abdulrahman, head of SOHR. “The level of violence was unprecedented.”
Government response and claims of stability
Defense Ministry spokesperson Hassan Abdel-Ghani confirmed that state institutions were resuming operations and services.
“We have dismantled the remnants of the previous regime’s forces and secured key roads,” Abdel-Ghani said, in statements carried by the state-run SANA news agency.
Despite the government’s assurances, tensions remain high, with reports of continued displacement and sectarian reprisal attacks. Thousands of Alawites have fled to mountainous regions or sought refuge in neighboring Lebanon, fearing further violence.
International reactions and calls for restraint
The international community has reacted with alarm. The Kremlin and Tehran condemned the bloodshed, urging all parties to end hostilities. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied any Iranian involvement, stating that Tehran had remained “an observer” since Assad’s fall in December.
China called for an immediate ceasefire, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that “those responsible must be held accountable.”
Uncertainty over Syria’s future
Syria’s interim government, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former figure in the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has pledged an inclusive transition through democratic elections. However, many Syrians remain skeptical about the possibility of true representation for the country’s diverse ethnic and religious groups.
With violence persisting and communities deeply divided, the question remains: can Syria’s new rulers prevent further bloodshed, or is the country heading toward another prolonged period of instability?
