Syria is once again engulfed in bloodshed. On Thursday night, violent clashes erupted in the coastal provinces between security forces and loyalists of the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime. According to Neue Zürcher Zeitung, the violence began in the village of Beit Ana near Latakia, where government forces were conducting what was supposed to be a routine operation to arrest former soldiers loyal to Assad. However, the situation quickly escalated into full-scale armed conflict.
A Night of Chaos: What Happened?
Tensions had been brewing in Syria’s coastal regions for months. In response to security forces’ actions, Assad loyalists launched coordinated attacks on checkpoints and police stations. Social media footage showed burning houses and disturbing videos of bodies being dragged through the streets tied to small trucks. Official sources reported at least 16 soldiers from the new government had been killed, but independent reports suggest the death toll could be as high as 70.
This wave of violence marks the deadliest outbreak of conflict in Syria since December, when President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his Islamist-backed forces from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) toppled Bashar al-Assad. As reported by Neue Zürcher Zeitung, the recent attacks appear to have been orchestrated by former commanders such as Suheil al-Hassan, leader of the once-powerful Tiger Forces, who had repeatedly threatened to overthrow the new government by force.
Why Did the Uprising Begin in the Coastal Provinces?
The coastal regions of Tartus and Latakia have historically been strongholds of the Alawite religious sect, to which the Assad family belongs. Many Alawites remained fiercely loyal to the former regime throughout the civil war, fearing persecution if the Islamists took over.
Now, those fears are turning into reality. Reports indicate that in recent months, arrests, kidnappings, and assassinations have become more frequent in Alawite-majority areas, further inflaming tensions.
Despite the gravity of the situation, the Syrian government initially downplayed the crisis. On Thursday night, officials in Damascus described the unrest as “isolated incidents.” However, the same day, additional military forces were deployed to the coastal provinces, and a strict curfew was imposed, signaling the government’s growing concern.
Is Syria on the Brink of Another Civil War?
Experts warn that if President Sharaa fails to regain control, Syria could plunge into a new full-scale civil war. On Friday, Alawite leaders in Tartus called for mass protests against the new government, while HTS supporters in other cities demanded harsh crackdowns on the insurgents.
Syria expert Charles Lister described the situation as a “moment of truth” for the country.
The timing of this violent escalation could not be worse for the new government. The Syrian economy remains crippled by sanctions imposed on the Assad regime, which have only been partially lifted since the regime change. If Sharaa fails to stabilize the economy, his administration will face even greater unrest.
Adding to his troubles, Syria remains deeply fractured:
- In the east, Kurdish forces refuse to relinquish control of their de facto state to Damascus.
- In the south, Druze militias and tribal fighters refuse to disarm.
- Meanwhile, Israel is expanding its influence, designating southern Syria as a strategic military buffer zone.
Iran’s Role: Will It Intervene?
As chaos spreads, Iran could re-enter the Syrian conflict. Tehran has not yet recovered from the collapse of its regional security network following Assad’s downfall. Earlier this week, a pro-Iranian faction calling itself the “Islamic Resistance Front” declared its intention to fight against what it called a “Zionist-Turkish conspiracy” in Syria.
If the uprising along the coast continues to spread, Sharaa’s grip on power could slip away entirely. While Assad loyalists remain isolated outside their strongholds, they could soon receive external support, further destabilizing the region.
At this critical moment, Syria’s future remains uncertain.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Neue Zürcher Zeitung. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
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