Nearly 200 reportedly killed in Syria’s deadliest clashes since Assad’s fall

Nearly 200 people have been killed in Syria in the deadliest clashes since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, according to a report on Friday.

The violence erupted between Syrian government forces and loyalists of the ousted leader in Latakia province, a former stronghold of Assad’s Alawite support base.

Fighting erupts in Latakia province

The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that pro-Assad militants ambushed security forces on Thursday, triggering a fierce response from government-backed fighters.

“They killed every man they encountered,” SOHR chief Rami Abdurrahman said, describing the retaliatory assault.

SOHR confirmed at least 50 government troops and 45 pro-Assad fighters were among the dead, with additional casualties in several targeted villages. Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen TV reported that more than 30 men were killed in Mukhtariyeh.

Government vows to hunt down Assad loyalists

In response to the escalating conflict, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa vowed to prosecute the remnants of Assad’s regime.

“The government’s duty is to protect Syrians from the evils of the ousted regime gangs,” al-Sharaa said in a televised address, pledging to prevent further sectarian violence and collect all unauthorized weapons.

“We will continue to pursue the remnants of the fallen regime .. . We will bring them to a fair court, and we will continue to restrict weapons to the state, and no loose weapons will remain in Syria,” al-Sharaa added in a pre-recorded speech.

International reactions and regional support

U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen called on all sides to “refrain from actions that could further inflame tensions, escalate conflict, and destabilize Syria.”

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi condemned the violence, reaffirming Jordan’s support for Syria’s security. “We support the Syrian government in all of its efforts to maintain law and civil peace,” Safadi wrote on X.

Attempts to push Syria towards chaos, strife and conflict are crimes that pose a direct threat to the stability of the region. We condemn all attempts, groups and foreign interventions targeting the security, sovereignty and peace of our sister country Syria.

We stand with the Syrian government in all measures it takes to protect the stability of Syria and the safety of its people, and to preserve the law and civil peace.

All efforts must be combined to support Syria in the process of rebuilding the new Syrian state on the foundations that protect its unity, security, stability and sovereignty and preserve the rights of all the brotherly Syrian people.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt also condemned the attacks, stressing their opposition to any moves that undermine Syria’s stability. Türkiye also reacted to attacks on Syrian government forces in Latakia by Assad loyalists, a development threatening the hard-achieved stability in Syria.

In a statement by Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oncu Keceli on the social media platform X, “Intensive efforts are underway to establish security and stability in Syria. At this critical juncture, the tension in and around Latakia, as well as the targeting of security forces could undermine the efforts to lead Syria into the future in unity and solidarity. Such provocations must not be allowed to become a threat to peace in Syria and the region.”

“We stand against any action that targets the right of Syrians to live in peace and prosperity. Türkiye remains steadfast in its support for the Syrian people and government,” the statement read.

Russia calls for restraint

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the clashes, urging all Syrian factions to take immediate steps to halt the bloodshed.

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that maintaining national unity and security is crucial during Syria’s transitional period.

Ongoing tensions in Syria’s coastal strongholds

With security forces reinforcing their positions in Latakia, Tartus, and Jableh, curfews remain in place as tensions persist in the coastal areas.

Meanwhile, Gayyas Delle, a commander of deposed regime forces involved in ambushing security forces, announced the formation of a military council aimed at overthrowing the current government.

Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, marking the end of the Baath Party’s regime that had been in power since 1963. Al-Sharaa, who led the anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period on Jan. 29.