Syrian security operations result in mass civilian casualties on coast
Approximately 125 civilians have been killed by security forces in the rural areas of Latakia, Tartus, and Hama on the Syrian coast, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said on Friday. The organisation added that forces loyal to the former regime killed 100 security personnel and 15 civilians.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported that security forces’ campaigns included widespread summary executions and serious violations during security operations in the governorates of Latakia and Tartus.
The clashes, which officials have said involve security forces battling fighters loyal to former Syrian Army Colonel Suheil al-Hassan in the Latakia countryside, mark unprecedented violence in the coastal regions since the fall of the Assad regime.
Syrian authorities announced on Friday that they had full control over Tartus and Latakia. They also extended the general curfew in the two cities until Saturday. According to the Syrian Arab News Agency, SANA, the situation necessitated bringing in reinforcements and additional forces from the Ministry of Defence.
Syrian television quoted a Ministry of Defence spokesperson as saying, “Remnants of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad’s regime want to create rifts between the population in areas with diverse sects… Only a few hours separate us from the end of the operation against the remnants of the Assad regime.”
The Syrian coast has witnessed rapid developments with the continuation of military operations and clashes that erupted on Thursday night. Despite the imposition of a curfew in the cities of Latakia and Tartus, confrontations continued until the early hours of Friday morning, before widespread sweeping operations began, encompassing cities, villages and the surrounding mountains.
SANA reported that the general curfew in Tartus was extended until 10:00 am on Saturday (local time), with exceptions made only for performing Friday prayers and during the hour before Iftar until the end of the Taraweeh prayers.
A security source in the Syrian Ministry of Interior told SANA: “Following the assassination of several police and security personnel by remnants of the ousted regime, large, unorganised crowds headed towards the coast, leading to some individual violations. We are working to stop these transgressions, which do not represent the general Syrian population.”
Tartus witnessed a cautious calm on Friday morning compared to Thursday night, amid reports of civilian injuries resulting from stray bullets that were widely fired during the clashes, according to eyewitnesses in the city.
In contrast, local sources reported displacement movements in some villages in the Tartus countryside due to fears of developments in the coming hours, amid conflicting reports about civilian casualties in the area.
Tartus University also announced on Friday the postponement of all university examinations scheduled for its colleges on Saturday, SANA reported. The university indicated that the examinations have been postponed to a later date that will be determined.
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