Fierce Clashes Between Assad Loyalists and Forces

According to the reports on Friday (7 March), more than 70 people were killed and dozens injured in violent clashes between Syrian government security forces and militants loyal to ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad. The fighting erupted in Jableh and surrounding villages in Latakia province, an Assad stronghold, making it the deadliest attack on the new authorities since his removal in December. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the clashes involved ambushes and direct confrontations between security personnel and pro-Assad fighters.

Among those killed were 16 security personnel, 28 pro-Assad fighters, and four civilians, highlighting the scale of the unrest. The attacks were described as well-coordinated, with remnants of Assad’s militia targeting government checkpoints and patrols. In response, security forces vowed to eliminate their presence and restore stability. Helicopter and artillery strikes were launched on armed groups in Latakia, triggering further tensions within Alawite-populated areas.

Authorities also captured General Ibrahim Huweija, a former head of air force intelligence accused of numerous assassinations during the Assad era. Security forces later clashed with fighters linked to Suhail al-Hassan, a former special forces commander known as “The Tiger,” whose loyalists resisted government forces in the Latakia countryside. Reinforcements were deployed to secure the Jableh area, as the government sought to prevent further destabilization.

Amid the violence, Alawite leaders called for peaceful protests against military operations, especially airstrikes that allegedly targeted civilian homes. In response, security forces imposed curfews in key cities such as Latakia, Tartus, and Homs. Meanwhile, tensions remained high as the new authorities continued efforts to dismantle Assad’s remaining loyalist networks, despite reports of human rights violations, including executions and property seizures.

References

• Fierce Clashes Erupt as Assad Loyalists Battle Syrian Security Forces in Coastal Town
• Syria’s new authorities launched a sweeping security operation