Syria Faces Growing Unrest as Alawite Fighters Clash with Government Forces

Syria is grappling with a significant surge in violence as government forces clash with fighters from Bashar al-Assad's Alawite sect, marking a major challenge to the authority of the regime. The unrest, which began on Thursday, has led to scores of fatalities and is primarily centered in the coastal regions, disrupting the fragile stability that interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration has been struggling to maintain.

The Alawite insurgency is seen as an organized attack by remnants of the ousted Assad regime, with military convoys reportedly deployed in the coastal areas under the guise of combating "regime remnants." This has fueled accusations from the Alawite Islamic Council, which claims that these actions are intended to terrorize the Alawite community. The council has called for international intervention, urging the UN to place the coastal region under protection.

Security forces have been working tirelessly to regain control, with curfews imposed in key cities like Tartous and Latakia. Despite efforts to suppress the rebellion, clashes continue, and reinforcements are arriving to bolster government efforts. A resident of Latakia described ongoing heavy gunfire as government forces moved into the area.

The violence is further complicated by the absence of any meaningful dialogue between President Sharaa and key Alawite figures. While Sharaa has promised to govern Syria inclusively, Alawite activists feel sidelined, especially compared to other minority groups like the Kurds, Christians, and Druze.

As Sharaa struggles to consolidate his rule, critical areas remain outside of Damascus' control, including parts of the northeast and east, which are governed by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. This growing unrest poses a serious threat to the stability of the Syrian government and its fragile peace efforts. The situation remains volatile, and with foreign powers like Saudi Arabia offering backing to Sharaa’s administration, the conflict shows no signs of abating anytime soon.