Over 70 killed, dozens damage in clashes with Assad loyalists in Syria: All it’s good to know – The Instances of India

Greater than 70 folks have been killed and dozens wounded on Friday in violent clashes between Syrian safety forces and gunmen loyal to deposed ruler Bashar al-Assad within the coastal province of Latakia, based on the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
“Greater than 70 killed and dozens wounded and captured in bloody clashes and ambushes on the Syrian coast between members of the Ministry of Defence and Inside and militants from the defunct regime’s military,” the monitor mentioned in a publish on X.

How did the conflict unfold?

The violence erupted in Jableh, a city in Latakia province, as safety forces launched operations to root out Assad loyalists who’ve regrouped within the mountainous coastal area.
Earlier stories had put the loss of life toll at 48, with SOHR describing the preventing because the “most violent” since Assad was ousted by Islamist rebels in December. The lifeless included 16 safety personnel and 28 pro-Assad fighters, whereas others have been wounded or captured.
The clashes reportedly started when gunmen linked to an Assad-era commander, Suhail al-Hassan, attacked safety patrols and checkpoints. In response, authorities forces launched helicopter strikes on a village in Latakia.
“The armed teams that our safety forces have been clashing with within the Latakia countryside have been affiliated with the warfare felony Suhail al-Hassan, who dedicated essentially the most heinous massacres in opposition to the Syrian folks,” Latakia’s safety director Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kunaifati advised state information company SANA.
Al-Hassan, nicknamed “The Tiger”, was a key navy commander below Assad, main particular forces in main battles in opposition to the rebels in 2015. His hometown, Beit Ana, grew to become a focus of the most recent tensions after residents reportedly disrupted safety forces throughout an operation to arrest an arms seller.

What’s taking place now?

Safety forces have been deployed in and round Jableh to revive order. Stories point out that Alawite neighborhood leaders have accused the federal government of concentrating on peaceable protesters within the helicopter strikes. The Alawites, Assad’s sectarian base, largely backed him throughout his rule however are actually caught within the turmoil following his downfall.
SANA, citing defence ministry sources, confirmed that reinforcements have been despatched to the Jableh area to deliver the scenario below management.

Assad’s fall and its aftermath

The most recent violence is a part of Syria’s ongoing instability following the autumn of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. His ouster, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels, marked the top of his 24-year rule and the Assad household’s five-decade maintain on energy.
Within the ultimate hours earlier than Damascus fell to the rebels, Assad fled the nation in secrecy, deceptive his aides about Russian navy assist.
“He advised his commanders and associates after his Moscow journey that navy assist was coming,” mentioned Hadi al-Bahra, the top of Syria’s primary opposition overseas. “He was mendacity to them. The message he acquired from Moscow was unfavourable.”
As his authorities collapsed, safety forces deserted their posts, permitting rebels to grab management of Damascus. Assad’s brother Maher and different key regime figures additionally fled, whereas some have been ambushed by insurgent fighters.
Since Assad’s departure, the HTS-led insurgents have promised an inclusive authorities, however issues stay over their Islamist ties.