DAMASCUS
More than 130 people were killed as Syrian forces battled for a second day to crush a nascent insurgency by fighters from former ruler Bashar Al Assad’s Alawi sect.
The coastal region of Latakia, heavily populated by the pro-Assad Alawi minority, has seen heavy fighting over the last three days.
Syrian authorities said the violence began when remnants loyal to ousted leader Assad launched a deadly and well-planned attack on their forces.
The violence has shaken interim President Ahmed Al Sharaa’s efforts to consolidate control as his administration struggles to get US sanctions lifted and grapples with wider security challenges, notably in the southwest, where Israel has said it will prevent Damascus from deploying forces.
Syrians took to the streets to rally in support of the government in Damascus and other cities, while Saudi Arabia and Turkiye, both allies of the government, also signalled their backing.
Russia, which was a major backer of Assad but has sought to build ties with the new government, said it was alarmed by a deterioration in the security situation and called on all “respected” leaders of the country to stop the bloodshed.
Images from Al Mukhtareyah, in Latakia province, showed 20 men lying in close proximity — some bloodied — by the side of a road in the town centre. Alawi activists said the killings were on Friday and blamed them on gunmen affiliated with the ruling authorities.
A government spokesperson and two officials linked to the ruling authority did not respond to requests for comment. A prominent Alawi cleric, Sheikh Shabaan Mansour, 86, was killed on Friday with his son in the village of Sahlab in western Syria. Residents accused fighters aligned with Damascus of killing him.
