Deadly clashes with ex-president’s supporters continue in Syria's coast VIDEO

Forces linked to Syria's new government have engaged in intense clashes with fighters loyal to the ousted President Bashar al-Assad in the country's coastal region.

This marks the most severe violence since rebels overthrew Assad in December 2024 and established an Islamist-led transitional government, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

🚨Suriye ordusu, Esad ailesinin memleketi olan Lazkiye Kardaha’da devrik rejim milislerine operasyon başlattı. pic.twitter.com/LOQZNAhftr

— Conflict (@ConflictTR) March 7, 2025

The clashes began when government forces were ambushed during a security operation in Latakia. This led to the deployment of reinforcements to contain the situation. The coastal region, a stronghold of Syria's Alawite minority, is also the heartland of the Assad family, which belongs to this sect. The death toll remains difficult to verify independently, though estimates vary. 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that 71 people have been killed, including 35 government soldiers, 32 fighters loyal to the former regime, and four civilians. Dozens more have been injured in the violence. Gunmen, some of whom are former regime fighters, ambushed military forces, checkpoints, and headquarters along the coastline.

صور خاصة لانتشار دبابات الجيش السوري عند مداخل اللاذقية #قناة_العربية pic.twitter.com/SPhuqKDVhn

— العربية (@AlArabiya) March 7, 2025

Local gunmen have seized military zones in the Latakia mountains to launch attacks, while others have taken refuge in the city of Jableh. The former regime's army has been deployed in several coastal towns and villages, with military forces being ambushed on highways. 

The government-aligned forces had killed around 70 former regime fighters and captured more than 25 others in Jableh and the surrounding areas. 

Suriye / Lazkiye Kıyı kesimlerinde, Suriye Milli Ordusu’na saldıran Esad destekçisi Şii Şebbihaların içinden geçmek için gerekli takviyeler yapılıyor !

Azgın azınlık yenilecek !

pic.twitter.com/wjVXTcFjvw

— Misvak Caps (@misvakcaps) March 6, 2025

The coastal region has become a major security challenge for interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa as efforts continue to maintain control over this strategically important area.

By Naila Husyenova