The newly established Syrian government reported that loyalists of ousted President Bashar al-Assad launched an ambush in the country’s western region, resulting in the deaths of 14 Ministry of Interior soldiers.
According to the BBC, the attack occurred near the coastal city of Tartus, a stronghold of the Alawite minority, to which Assad belongs. An additional 10 soldiers were reportedly injured during clashes in the area.
Details of the Ambush
Security forces were ambushed while attempting to arrest a former officer near the notorious Saydnaya prison, located close to the capital, Damascus. The officer was reportedly involved in incidents tied to the recent regime change.
The ambush comes two weeks after Bashar al-Assad’s presidency was overthrown by opposition forces led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that three armed individuals were also killed during the clashes, though their identities remain undisclosed.
SOHR further noted that additional reinforcements were dispatched to the area following the attack.
Curfew Imposed in Homs Amid Unrest
In a separate development, Syrian authorities imposed an overnight curfew in the central city of Homs due to fears of unrest. The decision followed the circulation of a video allegedly showing an attack on an Alawite shrine, which authorities later claimed was old footage from a November incident in Aleppo.
SOHR reported that one protester was killed and five others injured during demonstrations in Homs. Protests were also reported in Tartus, Latakia, and Assad’s hometown of Qardaha.
Tensions Among the Alawite Community
The Alawite community, which held significant political and military influence during Assad’s regime, faces growing fears of retribution for alleged war crimes committed under Assad’s rule. Calls for a general amnesty by Alawite religious leaders have been met with resistance due to the gravity of past atrocities.
Thousands of Syrians remain imprisoned, with many subjected to torture and extrajudicial killings. Families of the victims continue to demand justice, heightening tensions in the post-Assad era.
HTS Promises to Protect Minority Rights
Following its rapid takeover that ousted the Assad regime, HTS has vowed to safeguard the rights and freedoms of Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities. However, recent incidents, such as the burning of a Christmas tree, have sparked protests and raised concerns about the treatment of minorities.
Several international organizations and governments have urged the new authorities to ensure the protection of minority groups and promote inclusivity in the rebuilding of Syria.
