Assad Loyalists Ambush Syrian Government Troops, Heavy Casualties Reported
Latakia, Syria – The remnants of Bashar al-Assad’s regime launched a deadly ambush on Syrian government forces near Latakia, igniting some of the worst fighting since Assad’s downfall in December 2024. The clashes, now in their second day, have left at least 147 people dead, including 69 executed Alawites, as reported by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Curfews have been imposed in Latakia and Tartous until 10 a.m. tomorrow as the new Syrian authorities attempt to restore order.
The Last Stand of Assad’s Loyalists
The attack took place on the outskirts of Latakia, a region that was once a stronghold of Assad’s Alawite power base. The former regime’s supporters, many of whom served in Assad’s security forces, staged a coordinated assault on military checkpoints and government installations.
Syrian security forces, under the leadership of interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, fought back, pushing the insurgents into defensive positions in the Latakia mountains and urban centers. Reports indicate that gunmen have barricaded themselves in parts of Jableh, forcing prolonged street battles.
Mass Executions and Rising Casualties
According to battlefield reports, at least 147 people have been killed in the clashes. Among them, 69 Alawite fighters were reportedly executed, either in battle or after being captured. The fighting has left dozens wounded, with medical facilities struggling to handle the influx of casualties.
The intensity of the violence highlights the deep-seated animosity between the remnants of Assad’s forces and the new Syrian government, led by HTS militants under Abu Mohammed al-Julani’s leadership. Although HTS has distanced itself from its extremist past, its rule remains fragile as various factions compete for power in the post-Assad era.
The Battle for Syria’s Future
The fall of Assad marked the end of Iran’s stranglehold on Syria, with Iranian forces retreating and Hezbollah suffering major losses. However, the country remains highly unstable, with the new administration struggling to consolidate its authority.
As the conflict in Latakia unfolds, it is clear that Assad’s loyalists are not willing to surrender quietly. Whether this marks the beginning of a prolonged insurgency or the final collapse of the former regime’s resistance remains to be seen.
What is certain is that Syria, long a battlefield for regional powers, continues to be a flashpoint in the Middle East’s shifting geopolitical landscape.
