Fighting Erupts in Syria as Government Forces Clash with Loyalists of Ousted President
Fighting erupted in Syria as government forces clashed with loyalists of ousted President Bashar Assad, resulting in the deaths of dozens of men, a war monitor said. The violence marks the worst violence since Assad’s government was toppled in early December by insurgent groups led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
The village assaults erupted on Thursday and continued on Friday, with ongoing clashes between the two sides, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Nearly 200 people have been killed since the fighting broke out, including 69 killed in the villages, 50 members of Syria’s government forces, and 45 fighters loyal to Assad. The civil war has left more than half a million people dead and millions displaced.
The most recent clashes began when government forces attempted to detain a wanted person near the coastal city of Jableh on Thursday and were ambushed by Assad loyalists, according to the Observatory. On Thursday and Friday, gunmen loyal to the new government stormed the villages of Sheer, Mukhtariyeh, and Haffah near the coast, killing 69 men but harming no women, according to the Observatory.
Geir O. Pedersen, the United Nations special envoy for Syria, called for all parties to refrain from actions that could further inflame tensions, escalate conflict, exacerbate the suffering of affected communities, destabilize Syria, and jeopardize a credible and inclusive political transition.
Coastal Towns Still Under Control of Assad Loyalists
As of Friday, the Observatory reported that Jableh and the coastal town of Baniyas were still under the control of Assad loyalists, along with other Alawite villages nearby and Assad’s hometown of Qardaha in the mountains overlooking Latakia.
The Fighting Could Stoke More Sectarian Tensions
Gregory Waters, an associate fellow with the Middle East Institute, expressed concern that the flare-up could stoke cycles of violence between different civilian communities living along the coast.
Syrian People Ask Russia for Help
Scores of people gathered outside the main Russian air base in Syria near Jableh to ask Moscow for protection. Russia joined Syria’s conflict in 2015, siding with Assad, although it has since established links with the new government.
Conclusion
The ongoing violence in Syria highlights the complex and fragile nature of the conflict, with various factions vying for power and control. The international community must continue to work towards a peaceful and inclusive political transition, ensuring the rights and security of all Syrian people.
FAQs
- What is the current situation in Syria?
The country is embroiled in a civil war, with various factions vying for power and control. - Who is involved in the conflict?
The conflict involves government forces, insurgent groups, and various factions, including the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. - What is the role of Russia in the conflict?
Russia joined Syria’s conflict in 2015, siding with Assad, although it has since established links with the new government. - What is the United Nations’ position on the conflict?
The United Nations has called for all parties to refrain from actions that could further inflame tensions, escalate conflict, exacerbate the suffering of affected communities, destabilize Syria, and jeopardize a credible and inclusive political transition.
About The Author
