A group of Syrian police officers were tragically killed in an unexpected “ambush” by supporters of the former President Bashar al-Assad in Tartous governorate, adding to the security challenges facing the new government that took office two weeks ago.
The new Interior Minister, Mohammed Abdul Rahman, condemned the attack, stating that remnants of the Assad regime in Tartous had killed 14 police officers and injured 10 others. He vowed to take strong action against anyone threatening Syria’s security or the safety of its citizens.
Meanwhile, protests broke out in several cities following the circulation of a video showing the desecration of an Alawite shrine in Aleppo. Authorities enforced curfews in Homs, Latakia, Jableh, and Tartous until early morning. The interior ministry blamed unknown groups for the violence and warned against attempts to incite sectarian tensions.
Reports indicated that demonstrations in Homs were led by members of minority Alawite and Shia Muslim communities, possibly in response to recent pressure and violence targeting Alawites, seen as loyal to the former president. Flashpoints emerged in Latakia, Tartous, Homs, and Aleppo, leading to heightened tension in those areas.
Authorities mobilized additional security forces to ease the situation, holding late-night meetings to discuss strategies moving forward. They are considering cracking down on remnants of the old regime, including members of the elite Fourth Division loyal to Maher al-Assad, the former president’s brother. However, concerns about potential violent clashes loom large.
Since the opposition fighters seized control of Damascus on December 8, forcing Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia, the new government has pledged to safeguard the rights of minority religious groups who fear persecution under the new regime.
In a separate incident, former regime forces launched an attack in the coastal region, resulting in casualties as reported by the interior ministry. The volatile situation in Syria underscores the challenges facing the new administration as they strive to establish stability and restore peace in the war-torn country.
