Syria's interim government has taken a significant step in its efforts to secure control of the country by deploying attack helicopters against what it refers to as "remnants of the former regime" in its coastal regions.
This military action marks a pivotal moment in Syria's transition following the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's government. The helicopters are being launched from the Istamo Airfield, located in rural Latakia, and are targeting armed groups still operating in the coastal countryside.
The deployment of helicopters is part of a broader set of security measures designed to reinforce the authority of Syria’s new leadership.
Although the government has not provided specific details regarding the number of helicopters involved or the extent of the operation, it is clear that this move is aimed at consolidating power and addressing any remnants of opposition that may undermine the new administration’s stability.
These actions come in the context of ongoing political transitions in Syria. In a related development, Anas Khattab, Syria’s newly appointed intelligence chief, announced plans to restructure the country’s security apparatus.
In a statement, Khattab emphasized that the existing security branches would be dissolved and reorganised, but he refrained from providing a detailed timeline for these changes.
His words reflect the need to align the security services with the values and sacrifices of the Syrian people, while also responding to the challenges of post-Assad Syria.
The political landscape in Syria has shifted dramatically since the fall of Assad’s government in December 2023. A military coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham initiated a major offensive on November 27, swiftly advancing from northern Syria, capturing Damascus, and overthrowing Assad’s regime within just 12 days.
This rapid shift in power has left Syria navigating a delicate and sensitive political transition, one that has resulted in widespread insecurity and growing dissent across the country.
To manage this transition, the Syrian Information Ministry issued a directive prohibiting media content with a sectarian tone.
The civil war, which had already been marked by sectarian divides between Assad’s Alawite-Shia-dominated regime and the predominantly Sunni insurgency, was further inflamed by the involvement of Shia militias from across the Middle East.
These militias, mobilised by Assad’s key ally Iran, played a crucial role in bolstering the regime’s military strength against Sunni insurgents, many of whom were Islamist.
Tensions have also been rising in Homs, a city located 150 km north of Damascus, where unrest broke out in response to demonstrations led by members of the Alawite and Shia communities.
The government imposed a curfew in the city on Wednesday night to curb the disturbances. Videos shared on social media showed residents scattering as gunfire rang out, illustrating the heightened volatility in the region.
Iran, a long-standing ally of the Assad regime, has expressed concern about the recent developments in Syria. On Sunday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Syrian youth to resist those who, in his view, were causing insecurity in the country.
Khamenei’s statement reflected the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding Syria’s future, with Iran concerned about the direction the country is taking under its new leadership.
He emphasized that Syria’s youth, many of whom have suffered through years of war, are now at a critical juncture, with nothing left to lose.
In response, Syria’s new Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, took to social media to assert Syria’s sovereignty, warning Iran against interfering in internal Syrian matters.
Al-Shibani’s statement conveyed a strong message that while Syria values its relationship with Iran, it would not tolerate external forces meddling in its national affairs. He held Iran accountable for the consequences of any actions that might destabilise Syria further.
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