Following intense military operations in Syria's western coastal region, the defense ministry has declared an end to the campaign aimed at dislodging loyalists of former President Bashar al-Assad. The reported violence has claimed the lives of over 1,400 individuals since last Thursday, a grim statistic that highlights the severity of ongoing conflict in the region.
Syria's Government Claims End of Military Operation Amidst High Casualties
Syria's Government Claims End of Military Operation Amidst High Casualties
Syria's defense ministry announced the conclusion of a military operation targeting loyalists of Bashar al-Assad in the coastal provinces, following severe violence resulting in substantial civilian deaths.
The military action centered on several towns in the provinces of Latakia and Tartous. Security forces were tasked with "neutralizing" loyalists, paving the way for stabilizing these areas following a series of revenge attacks against the minority Alawite sect. According to reports, gunmen aligned with the Sunni Islamist-led government perpetrated acts of vengeance in response to a deadly ambush on security personnel.
In light of the escalating crisis, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the recent violence and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. This turmoil marks the most severe outbreak of violence since Sharaa assumed control following the ousting of Assad in December, succeeding over a decade of devastating civil war.
"The objectives of the security operation in Latakia and Tartous have been met," stated a defense ministry spokesperson through social media. Significant areas including al-Mukhtareyah and al-Mazairaa had military forces tasked with securing and restoring public order. Government personnel promise to facilitate an environment conducive to returning to normalcy in public institutions affected by the unrest.
Reports indicate that the violence intensified when security forces were ambushed in Jableh, resulting in multiple deaths among officers. Following this incident, a heavy military presence was deployed in Alawite-dominant regions, with allegations surfacing of retribution killings and looting by government-aligned troops.
Heart-wrenching personal accounts from civilians describe brutal attacks, where families were killed in their homes and community members lived in terror of imminent violence. Alawite families reported instances of kidnapping and summary executions, raising severe humanitarian concerns.
The international community expressed alarm over the reported atrocities, emphasizing the need for civil protections and accountability for the perpetrators of these crimes. UN human rights officials have demanded actions from the interim Syrian authorities against sectarian violence and familial executions, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian disaster within Syria.
In light of the escalating crisis, interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the establishment of an independent committee to investigate the recent violence and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. This turmoil marks the most severe outbreak of violence since Sharaa assumed control following the ousting of Assad in December, succeeding over a decade of devastating civil war.
"The objectives of the security operation in Latakia and Tartous have been met," stated a defense ministry spokesperson through social media. Significant areas including al-Mukhtareyah and al-Mazairaa had military forces tasked with securing and restoring public order. Government personnel promise to facilitate an environment conducive to returning to normalcy in public institutions affected by the unrest.
Reports indicate that the violence intensified when security forces were ambushed in Jableh, resulting in multiple deaths among officers. Following this incident, a heavy military presence was deployed in Alawite-dominant regions, with allegations surfacing of retribution killings and looting by government-aligned troops.
Heart-wrenching personal accounts from civilians describe brutal attacks, where families were killed in their homes and community members lived in terror of imminent violence. Alawite families reported instances of kidnapping and summary executions, raising severe humanitarian concerns.
The international community expressed alarm over the reported atrocities, emphasizing the need for civil protections and accountability for the perpetrators of these crimes. UN human rights officials have demanded actions from the interim Syrian authorities against sectarian violence and familial executions, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian disaster within Syria.
