Syrian Military Declares End of Operation Against Assad Loyalists
The Syrian Defence Ministry announced on Monday that a military operation against loyalists of former President Bashar al-Assad had been completed.
The clashes, which erupted in the former president’s coastal stronghold, resulted in significant casualties, including a large number of civilians.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 1,000 people were killed over two days of intense fighting, including 745 civilians, 125 members of the security forces, and 148 fighters loyal to Assad. A separate rights group, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported differing casualty figures, highlighting the difficulty in verifying numbers.
The fighting began on Thursday when pro-Assad gunmen ambushed security forces in Jableh, located in the coastal Latakia province. The violence escalated into a broader conflict, with security forces launching a counteroffensive against Assad loyalists. Reports of revenge attacks, including against civilians from the minority Alawite sect, raised concerns among international rights organizations.
Syrian Defence Ministry spokesperson Hassan Abdul Ghany stated on social media platform X that normalcy was being restored, allowing public institutions to resume their work.
“We are paving the way for life to return to normal and for the consolidation of security and stability,” he said.
He added that efforts would continue to eliminate any remaining threats from former government loyalists. Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa also vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the violence and announced the formation of an independent investigative committee.
The United Nations condemned the high civilian death toll, with UN human rights chief Volker Türk calling for a thorough investigation into reports of summary executions and sectarian violence. The United States and Russia have requested a closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation.
Western powers have urged Syria’s new leadership to ensure the protection of minority groups, with the US warning that incidents of sectarian violence could hinder efforts to lift economic sanctions.
Despite the operation’s conclusion, concerns remain over Syria’s stability. The country’s new Islamist-led government, formed after Assad’s ousting in December, faces the challenge of maintaining security while addressing sectarian divisions. Human rights organizations stress the need for transitional justice and an inclusive political system to prevent further cycles of violence.
The Guardian, Reuters, the Associated Press, and CNN contributed to this report.
