UN delegation tours Syrian conflict zones of Latakia, Tartus after fierce clashes

A United Nations delegation has visited the western Syrian provinces of Latakia and Tartus following intense clashes between Syrian security forces and supporters of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

Thus, UN officials arrived in the conflict-hit areas to “investigate the events that unfolded after attacks by remnants of the deposed regime,” Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The delegation is currently touring towns and villages in Latakia and Tartus, where the fighting between factions in the country’s civil conflict has reportedly led to civilian casualties.

To recall, more than 1,300 people, including hundreds of civilians, have been killed in Syria over the past three days amid intense fighting between forces linked to the country’s new government and loyalists of Assad, according to a human rights group.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, reported that 830 civilians had been killed, alongside 231 members of the security forces and 250 Alawite militants. The figures have not been independently verified.

The violence is the deadliest Syria has witnessed since Assad’s regime was overthrown in December. It has also become the most significant challenge yet for the new government, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Clashes erupted on March 6 in Latakia province following reports that Alawite gunmen had ambushed and killed 16 government troops. In response, the government deployed reinforcements and imposed curfews in Latakia and neighbouring Tartus.

President al-Sharaa has pledged to protect all minorities, but the government’s lack of an official police force or army has made this increasingly difficult.

By Aghakazim Guliyev