Worst violence in Syria since Assad fall as dozens killed in clashes

Security forces under Syria's new rulers have clashed heavily with fighters loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad in the country's coastal region. This marks the worst violence since the rebels overthrew Assad in December and established an Islamist transitional government. According to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 70 people have been killed in the fighting. A curfew has been enforced in the cities of Latakia and Tartous, where the clashes have erupted.

Syrian forces have mobilized toward Latakia following a deadly attack by fighters loyal to the ousted President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday, marking the worst violence in the country since Assad was overthrown in December and replaced by an Islamist transitional government.

According to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, more than 70 people have been killed in the clashes. A curfew has been imposed in the cities of Latakia and Tartous, where the fighting has erupted.

Reports have surfaced accusing Syrian security forces of executing dozens of Alawites. BBC Verify confirmed the locations of two videos posted online showing gunmen firing at a building in Homs on Thursday evening, causing a fire. Two additional verified videos show a body being dragged behind a car in Latakia.

The coastal region, home to the Alawite minority and a stronghold of the Assad family, has been at the center of the conflict. While the death toll remains difficult to verify independently, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 71 deaths on Friday, including 35 government forces, 32 fighters loyal to the former regime, and four civilians. The violence also left dozens more injured, the group said.

Gunmen, some linked to the former regime, ambushed military forces, checkpoints, and headquarters along Syria's coastline, according to reports from a monitoring group. One Sunni civilian witness described the attack as "planned and prepared," while another told BBC Arabic that the indiscriminate shooting, including targeting paramedics, resembled tactics from the previous Assad regime. "They showed no mercy, so we are opposed to any violence against innocent civilians on the Syrian coast who are not involved in this unrest. They are all like family to us," the witness explained.

An Alawite resident shared that many Syrians, both on the coast and in the capital, are "scared" and worried about becoming "scapegoats" due to the current incitement. "Everyone is terrified," she said.

Local gunmen have taken control of military zones, retreating to the Latakia mountains and Jableh city to launch further attacks. Former regime soldiers have been deployed to several coastal towns and villages, with military forces ambushed on highways.

On Thursday evening, the Syrian-based Step news agency reported that government-aligned forces killed around 70 former regime fighters and captured more than 25 others in Jableh and surrounding areas.

Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani, a spokesman for Syria's defense ministry, issued a warning to Assad loyalists fighting in Latakia via state media. "Thousands have chosen to surrender their weapons and return to their families, while some insist on fleeing and dying in defense of murderers and criminals. The choice is clear: lay down your weapons or face your inevitable fate," he said.

The region has become a significant security challenge for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Alawite activists claim that their community has faced violence and attacks since Assad's downfall, especially in rural Homs and Latakia.

Sharaa is also facing resistance in the south, where recent clashes have occurred with Druze forces. Earlier this week, Syria's foreign minister informed the global chemical weapons watchdog that the new government is committed to destroying any remaining chemical weapons stockpiles produced under Assad. Although Assad's government denied using chemical weapons during the 14-year civil war, activists accused it of carrying out numerous chemical attacks.