Syria is witnessing one of its deadliest escalations since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, as over 200 of his loyalists have been killed in violent clashes with government forces. The latest confrontation took place in Syria’s coastal regions, where armed fighters stormed several villages, marking the worst bloodshed since insurgent groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Assad's government.

Revenge Attacks and Rising Violence in Syria

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the clashes erupted when Syrian government forces attempted to detain a wanted individual near Jableh on Thursday. The attempt triggered an ambush by Assad loyalists, leading to a violent crackdown by security forces on pro-Assad villages.

The government's response was swift and brutal:

• Dozens of villages were raided, with security forces targeting men suspected of allegiance to Assad.
• 69 men were reportedly executed in Sheer, Mukhtariyeh, and Haffah, with women and children largely spared.
• 60 civilians, including women and children, were killed in Baniyas, according to SOHR reports.
• Government troops suffered losses too, with at least 50 of their own killed in the clashes.

Government's Stance and Military Reinforcements

The Syrian government has blamed Assad loyalists for recent attacks on the country’s new security forces. State media acknowledged the violent clashes but downplayed the extent of civilian casualties.

In response to the growing instability:

• A strict curfew was imposed in Latakia, Tartus, and surrounding areas.
• The government sent military reinforcements to these regions, which remain strongholds of Assad’s minority Alawite sect.
• Jableh and Baniyas remain under the control of pro-Assad militias, highlighting the government’s struggle to assert full control.

UN Warns of Further Escalation in Syria

As the conflict intensifies, Geir O. Pedersen, the United Nations special envoy for Syria, issued a statement urging restraint.

Pedersen warned against actions that could "inflame tensions, escalate conflict, and exacerbate suffering", emphasizing the need for a credible political transition to prevent Syria from plunging into deeper chaos.

Syria’s Future: A Nation Still at War

While Syria's new government has vowed to unify the country, the presence of Assad loyalists, ongoing sectarian tensions, and insurgent groups like HTS continue to pose major challenges. The civil war that began in 2011 has claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced millions, and the latest violence underscores that Syria’s crisis is far from over.

With both government forces and Assad loyalists refusing to back down, the risk of further bloodshed remains high, leaving Syria in a volatile and uncertain state.