Syrian authorities announced on March 9 the reinforcement of security forces in the coastal region and the imposition of control over areas that witnessed clashes. The announcement followed reports of the killing of over 1000 Alawite civilians by security forces and allied groups, as reported by state media.
Interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa urged Alawite fighters to surrender before it was too late. Residents of the coastal area described killings of civilians during sweeping operations and clashes with pro-Assad fighters, which erupted two days ago and have been the fiercest since the ousting of al-Assad on December 8.
The overall death toll since the clashes began has risen to 1000, including fighters from both sides and Syrians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), said on March 8.
As clashes subsided on March 9, Syria’s official news agency (SANA) reported that security forces had reinforced their presence, particularly in Baniyas, Latakia, and Jableh, to “restore order.”
Syrian Defence Ministry spokesperson Hassan Abdul Ghani announced that security forces had "regained control over areas that witnessed treacherous attacks against public security personnel."
In a video statement to SANA, he urged all field units engaged in combat to “strictly adhere to the instructions of military and security commanders,” stressing that “no one is permitted to enter any home or harm any individual inside their residence, except under objectives determined by Defence Ministry officers.”
Abdul Ghani announced the closure of roads leading to the coastal region to restore stability, coordinating with the Public Security Administration. A special committee was formed to monitor violations, and those who disobeyed military orders during the recent operation were referred to the military court.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross called for the “protection of civilian lives and for medical and humanitarian workers to be granted safe access to provide medical aid and transport the wounded and deceased.”
Tensions initially flared two days ago in an Alawite-majority village in rural Latakia after security forces arrested a wanted individual. The situation quickly escalated into clashes when Alawite gunmen opened fire, according to SOHR.
SOHR shared videos showing dozens of civilian-clothed bodies, some piled up in a courtyard near a house with bloodstains visible nearby, while women wailed at the scene.
Clashes in Syrian Western coasts intensified on March 7 as the Syrian army sent large military reinforcements to the coast to repel attacks from remnants of Bashar al-Assad’s forces, Al Sharq Al Awsat reported.
Syrian security forces are currently engaged in battles against armed groups loyal to former officer Suhail al-Hassan who was once a prominent commander under Assad. Tensions erupted in Beit Ana, the home town of al-Hassan, after security forces attempted to arrest an alleged arms dealer.
Deadly clashes are escalating in Latakia between Syrian Security Forces and pro-Assad militants. This is the deadliest attack since Assad’s ouster on December 8, involving helicopter strikes and heavy artillery. Over 70 people were killed, mostly security forces and pro-Assad militants in the fighting.
Al Hurra reported that a curfew was imposed until 10 am by the General Security Administration to contain the chaos.
Syria’s Ministry of Defence said later the government forces had achieved rapid field progress and reestablished control over areas that witnessed attacks against security forces in the coastal region, as reported by the state-run SANA news agency.
SANA reported that Syrian Defence Ministry troops have entered the city of Tartus in support of the General Security Administration’s forces against what it described as the remnants of Assad’s militias.
Syrian Defence Ministry spokesman, Hassan Abdulghani, stated that "top war criminals" are now hiding in the mountains and that "their only fate is the courts, where they will face justice."
Addressing Assad’s remaining loyalists, he warned: "Do not be fuel for a lost war... The choice is clear: Surrender your weapons or face your inevitable fate."
Al-Hassan: The "barrel bombs" Assad fellow
Al-Hassan (nickname Tiger), 55 years old, was born in Jableh and is of Alawite descent. Alawites make up about 10% of Syria’s population and played a significant key role in Assad’s regime. While many Alawites surrendered their weapons after Assad’s fall in December, a significant number have refused to disarm.
In the early years of the Syrian war (2011) he trained special forces and led military operations, particularly in Latakia. In 2013, he was assigned to command the elite Tiger Forces.
Al-Hassan was linked to massacres across Syria and allegedly ordered attacks on civilians using barrel bombs. These are explosives packed with shrapnel and dropped from helicopters.
Known for his "scorched earth" strategy, he used intense air power before ground forces moved in. His brutal tactics were seen in Eastern Ghouta (2018), causing heavy civilian casualties.
Al-Hassan is under EU sanctions. Der Spiegel suggested earlier that Russia might have considered him a potential replacement for Assad. Russian media also showed him appearing as a subordinate to Russian military leadership.
In December last year, Al-Hassan was leading government special forces against opposition fighters in Hama when he was reportedly injured by a drone strike near Jabal Zain al-Abidin.
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