At least 70 people have lost their lives in fighting between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces and loyalists of ousted President Basher Al Assad in Syria, reports said.
The clashes broke out in the coastal regions of Latakia, Jableh, and Tartus. This is the first instance since the fall of Assad when such high-intensity armed clashes have been reported in the country.
HTS, a militant group previously affiliated with Al-Qaeda, took control of Syria in late 2024 after a rapid military offensive, capturing Aleppo, Hama, and Homs before seizing Damascus on December 8.
The takeover ended the Assad family’s rule after more than five decades of absolute autocratic rule. The new administration is led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, alias Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of HTS.
Reports said Assad loyalists, who still maintain a foothold in Syria’s coastal region, launched a surprise attack on HTS militants.
However, in response, government forces sent major reinforcements to the cities of Latakia and Tartus as well as nearby towns and villages.
Reports indicate that more than 70 people have so far been killed in the fighting, while the Syrian government confirmed that at least 13 members of the country’s newly formed security forces were killed in an ambush orchestrated by Assad-linked militants in the area of Jableh.
The latest round of fighting has taken place near the Russian military bases in Tartus and Latakia.
Following the fall of Assad, Russia has maintained its troops in Syria, which happens to be the only country in the Middle East where Russia has its troops on the ground.
Syrian Defence Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra stated last month that Damascus is willing to allow Russia to keep it’s naval and air bases in the country, provided it serves the Arab nation’s interests.
Russia, despite being occupied in the war with Ukraine and repeated attacks on military installations in Syria, has not pulled out its troops from the country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for Syria’s territorial integrity and urged efforts to restore stability.
Russia has also provided military and economic assistance to Syria as it navigates the transition under HTS rule.
The HTS-led government has stated its intention to unify the country but has ruled out holding elections for at least four years. Its leadership has instead focused on consolidating control and stabilising governance.
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