Syria's Interim Leader Urges Unity Amid Escalating Violence

The Syria conflict intensifies with rising casualties and calls for unity from interim President Ahmed al-Shara, as demonstrations erupt across the nation.

In a dramatic escalation of violence, Ahmed al-Shara, Syria’s interim president, made a fervent call for national unity and calm following a week marked by brutal clashes between factions loyal to his government and supporters of the ousted dictator, Bashar al-Assad. The violent confrontations have resulted in over 1,000 deaths, with reports indicating that approximately 700 of those victims were civilians, primarily at the hands of government forces, according to data from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights—though this information remains unverified.

“We call on Syrians to be reassured because the country has the fundamentals for survival,” al-Shara stated during a press briefing. His comments coincided with fresh reports of fighting in Latakia and Tartus Provinces, where hostility has surged following a deadly ambush of government security personnel by Assad loyalists last Thursday. This marks the most severe violence since the fall of the Assad regime in early December.

In response to the turmoil, al-Shara announced the establishment of a fact-finding committee tasked with investigating the recent violence and ensuring accountability for those responsible. However, it remains uncertain whether he intends to acknowledge any wrongdoing by his own forces or to shift the blame solely onto Assad’s loyalists.

As the situation unfolded, large-scale protests erupted throughout the streets—a substantial public display against the new government. In an effort to regain control, residents were instructed to remain indoors as security forces intensified measures to manage the unrest. In related developments, outside of Syria, Israel's energy minister declared an urgent cutoff of electricity supply to the Gaza Strip, signaling further regional tensions.