Syria’s Interim President Calls for Calm Amid Deadly Clashes
Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Shara, made a heartfelt appeal for unity and calm on Sunday, urging Syrians to remain reassured as the nation faces a resurgence of violence. Speaking from a mosque in Damascus, al-Shara emphasized the importance of preserving national unity and civil peace. His remarks came amidst a wave of deadly clashes that have rocked the country, leaving hundreds of people dead, according to reports from war monitoring groups. The violence erupted last week between fighters aligned with the new government, led by al-Shara, and those loyal to the ousted dictator, Bashar al-Assad. As tensions escalate, fears of a renewed sectarian conflict have surged, particularly in the coastal regions where much of Syria’s Alawite minority resides.
Fresh Fighting Breaks Out in Coastal Provinces
Despite al-Shara’s call for calm, fresh fighting was reported in the countryside of Latakia and Tartus Provinces, areas known for their strategic importance and strong ties to the Alawite community. Government forces, now under the leadership of the new administration, are reportedly combing the region for armed fighters loyal to the Assad regime. Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry, stated that the military is actively targeting these groups to restore order. However, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that government forces are employing heavy weaponry, including drones, tanks, and artillery, in their operations. In some areas, security personnel are conducting searches for armed groups linked to the former regime’s military, raising concerns about civilian safety.
Civilian Casualties Mount as Violence Intensifies
The human cost of the clashes has been devastating, with more than 1,000 people reportedly killed in Tartus and Latakia Provinces since the fighting began last week. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that approximately 700 civilians were among the dead, with many succumbing to attacks by government forces. The group emphasized that the death toll could not be independently verified, but the scale of the casualties underscores the severity of the crisis. Another monitoring group, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that government security forces had killed at least 125 civilians, with men of all ages among the victims. The group criticized the forces for failing to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants, highlight
