Syria's defense ministry announced the completion of a military operation in Latakia and Tartous, where fierce fighting led to significant casualties, including many civilians. This operation followed growing insurgent activity among former president Bashar al-Assad's loyalists and aimed to restore stability in the region.
Syria Concludes Military Operation Amidst Escalating Sectarian Violence
Syria Concludes Military Operation Amidst Escalating Sectarian Violence
The Syrian government has declared an end to a military operation targeting Assad loyalists following a deadly outbreak of violence that has resulted in over 1,400 deaths.
Syria's defense ministry has announced the conclusion of a military operation in the western coastal region, marking a response to a surge of violence that left over 1,400 individuals dead, including 973 civilians. The operation targeted loyalists of ousted president Bashar al-Assad in the provinces of Latakia and Tartous, and a government spokesperson stated that forces had successfully "neutralized" security cells linked to the former regime.
This recent wave of violence is reported to be among the worst experienced in Syria since the ousting of Assad, who had maintained power for over 13 years, leading to a devastating civil war and mass displacement. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the formation of an independent committee to investigate the recent killings and ensure accountability for the perpetrators.
The military response was spurred by escalating attacks against government forces, notably an ambush on a unit attempting to detain a wanted Assad official, which resulted in the deaths of 13 security personnel. Refocusing efforts, the government dispatched reinforcements to quell the insurgency, leading to intensified operations in predominantly Alawite towns and villages, where reports surfaced of killings and looting.
Public institutions in the affected regions are now set to resume operations, according to defense ministry spokesman Hassan Abdul Ghani, who expressed intentions to return life to normalcy and reinstate security measures. He informed that the investigating committee would have full authority to reveal the events surrounding the violence and ensure justice for the victims.
Disturbing accounts have emerged of sectarian violence, prompting concern from international observers. Reports indicated revenge attacks by Sunni Islamist factions against Alawite families, leading to horrifying accounts of massacres, including the killing of entire families. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring organization, confirmed the extensive toll, stating that the dead included security personnel as well as pro-Assad forces amidst widespread summary executions and ethnic cleansing efforts.
UN human rights chief Volker Türk called for immediate protective measures for civilians, demanding accountability for those responsible for the atrocities. The operations in Latakia and Tartous are seen as critical in the context of Syria's ongoing struggles post-Assad's fall, as new factions vie for power in a nation still reeling from years of devastating conflict.
