In a recent development, rebel-led authorities in Syria have reported that 14 troops from the interior ministry were killed in an ambush attributed to supporters of the ousted President Bashar al-Assad in the western region of the country.
Reports indicate that ten additional troops sustained injuries during the clashes on Tuesday in proximity to the Mediterranean port of Tartous, a key stronghold for Assad’s minority Alawite Muslim sect.
According to reports, security forces encountered an ambush while attempting to apprehend a former officer linked to his involvement at the infamous Saydnaya prison, situated near the capital, Damascus.
In a significant turn of events, the presidency of Assad has recently been overtaken by rebel forces, primarily driven by the Islamist faction known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a monitoring group based in the UK, reported that three unidentified “armed men” lost their lives during the clashes.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, security forces subsequently called for reinforcements.
A notable development was when state media reported that the Syrian authorities had implemented an overnight curfew in the central city of Homs.
According to reports, this incident occurred in the wake of unrest triggered by a video allegedly depicting an assault on an Alawite shrine.
The interior ministry has clarified that the footage is not recent, originating from a rebel offensive in Aleppo in late November. Furthermore, it has been reported that unidentified groups perpetrated the violence depicted.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, one protester has been reported dead and five others injured in Homs.
Reports indicate that demonstrations have taken place in various locations, including the cities of Tartous and Latakia, as well as in Qardaha, the hometown of Assad.
The Alawites represent a branch of Shia Islam, with a significant number of the political and military elite from the former regime, including the Assad family, identifying with this sect.
Members of the community express deep concerns over potential retaliation as they face accusations related to the torture and killings that occurred in Syria under the regime of Assad.
Former officers are reportedly withholding weapons, while residents in certain towns express a desire to resist, a sentiment that has manifested in Tartous.
Alawite religious leaders are advocating for a general amnesty for their community; however, the prospect appears dim due to numerous allegations of war crimes associated with its members.
In Syria, tens of thousands of individuals have reportedly faced torture to the point of death within prison walls. Meanwhile, countless families continue to seek answers and justice for their loved ones.
Calls for justice and accountability are echoing among Syrians as they demand trials for those deemed responsible for the ongoing crisis. This concern weighs heavily on members of the Alawite community.
The HTS-led lightning offensive, which originated in Syria’s northeast and rapidly expanded throughout the nation, has culminated in the end of over 50 years of Assad rule.
Assad and his family have sought refuge in Russia following escalating tensions.
HTS has committed to safeguarding the rights and freedoms of various religious and ethnic minorities in Syria.
The organization has been classified as a terrorist entity by the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, among others.
On Tuesday, demonstrations erupted across the nation in response to the burning of a Christmas tree, leading to renewed demands for the new government to safeguard minority communities.
