Dozens injured, multiple dead in explosion in Syria’s Latakia

At least three people were killed and 12 others injured on Saturday following an explosion in a four-story building in the Al-Raml Al-Janoubi neighborhood of Latakia, according to state media.

The SANA news agency cited Latakia Governor Mohammad Othman in reporting the casualty figures.

Many civilians were reportedly trapped under the rubble, and search and rescue teams, along with emergency services from civil defense, continued operations at the explosion site.

Violent clashes in Syria

Recent days have seen a surge of violence in Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, with coordinated attacks by loyalists of the ousted Assad regime. These attacks—described as the most severe since the regime’s fall in December—targeted security patrols, checkpoints, and hospitals, resulting in multiple casualties.

In response, Syrian security and military forces launched large-scale operations to track down the perpetrators. Government officials reported fierce clashes but said the situation is gradually stabilizing.

Bashar Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, marking the end of the Baath Party’s nearly six-decade rule. Ahmad al-Sharaa, leader of anti-regime forces, was named transitional president on Jan. 29.