Syrian Ministry of Defense Takes Action to Restore Stability Amid New Attacks by Former Regime Loyalists

Watan-The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday the closure of the road leading to the western coastal region of Syria to prevent violations against civilians. This comes after its forces were targeted in new attacks by armed groups loyal to the ousted regime.

The ministry told Al Jazeera that, in coordination with the General Security Directorate, it decided to close roads leading to coastal cities to control violations, prevent abuses, and restore stability to the area.

Syrian state news agency reported that the Ministry of Defense had previously formed an emergency committee to monitor violations and refer anyone breaching leadership directives during the recent military and security operations to the military court.

Syrian Authorities Close Coastal Roads Amid Attacks on Alawite Civilians and Security Forces

This decision follows reports of irregular armed groups coming from several Syrian regions killing dozens of civilians from the Alawite minority in retaliation for the killing of security forces in recent attacks.

Earlier today, an internal security source told Al Jazeera that a military group from the Popular Forces had been arrested for violating security instructions and committing violations against civilians while chasing remnants of the former regime in the Latakia governorate.

The source added that internal security had begun closing all roads leading to the Syrian coast and removing individuals without official military tasks from the area.

In a message to Syrians, President Ahmad Al-Sharaa urged field commanders not to allow any violations, warning that those committing violations against civilians would be severely held accountable.

In response to recent attacks that killed dozens of Syrian security personnel, which authorities described as coordinated, large military reinforcements, estimated to be over 20,000 troops, were sent to the Syrian coast yesterday.

New Attacks

Meanwhile, a security source told Al Jazeera that an internal security officer was killed and three others injured on Saturday in an ambush set by remnants of the former regime on the Banyas-Tartus road.

The source added that Syrian internal security forces were shot at in the city of Tartus.

He confirmed that a group of regime remnants attempted to carry out a vehicle ramming attack against internal security personnel in the city.

The same source said that the General Security Directorate seized large amounts of weapons and ammunition in a regime remnants’ hideout in the city of Latakia, while another source told Syrian state news that more than 200 vehicles stolen from the town of Jableh during the recent events were recovered.

The new attacks from regime-loyal gunmen follow announcements by Syrian military and security forces that they have largely regained control of most of the areas affected by unrest in the past few days.

Earlier today, the Syrian Ministry of Defense said that its forces successfully encircled what it described as remnants of the fallen regime in the coastal area and carried out targeted and precise operations against them in the town of Qardaha in the Latakia countryside.

A Ministry of Defense source told the Syrian news agency that remnants of the former regime were holed up in buildings and elevated positions in Qardaha, targeting security forces.

An internal security source also told Al Jazeera that the cities of Latakia and Jableh had been cleared, adding that regime remnants were fortified in the mountains.

Meanwhile, a Syrian security source reported that thefts had become widespread in several areas along the Syrian coast, while reports confirmed that security forces had recovered significant amounts of stolen goods and arrested several thieves.

Taking the Initiative

In response, Al Jazeera correspondent Milad Fadl reported that the military and security forces had regained the initiative and restored significant security to most areas of the coastal region after the unprecedented attacks by remnants of the former regime.

Fadl added that the Qardaha area in the Latakia countryside remains a stronghold for remnants, with leadership figures accused of war crimes refusing to surrender or reconcile their situation.

The correspondent further noted that operations may now focus on the Qardaha region after securing most areas of Latakia and Tartus.

On the previous day, Syrian forces used rockets and mortars to target gunmen in the mountains of Latakia and Tartus.

Late last night, the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced that its forces had foiled attacks on the port and the naval command in Latakia.

A Syrian security source told Al Jazeera that an attack on the National Hospital in Latakia had been thwarted, resulting in the death of eight attackers and three internal security personnel.

The source added that fierce clashes had occurred between the Ministry of Defense and General Security forces on one side and remnants of the former regime on the other near the hospital.

The Syrian authorities reported the deaths of dozens of security personnel and confirmed that their forces killed and arrested large numbers of gunmen.

In the same context, a Syrian security source told Al Jazeera that 50 members of the police and internal security who had been detained in the city of Drekish in the Tartus countryside had been released.

On the other hand, sources told Al Jazeera that dozens of remnants of the former regime, along with their families, entered the Hmeimim airbase, which houses Russian forces in the Latakia countryside.

Since the ousting of the former president Bashar al-Assad on December 8, the transitional administration has faced challenges, most notably restoring security and dealing with attempts to hinder change in Syria.