The aftermath of Bashar al-Assad’s ousting has plunged Syria into a fresh wave of sectarian violence, with reports of mass killings and revenge attacks emerging from the coastal strongholds of Latakia and Tartus. The conflict has particularly targeted the Alawite community, a sect that represents around 10% of Syria’s population and to which Assad belonged.
In the coastal city of Banias, residents described scenes of horror as families were executed in their homes and bodies lay scattered on the streets. Survivors, too terrified to even look out of their windows, learned of their neighbors’ deaths through sporadic Facebook posts when internet access allowed.
Ayman Fares, a former detainee, recounted his survival, attributing it to his recent imprisonment. Arrested last year for criticizing Assad, he was freed when Islamist-led forces took control. Recognized by the fighters who stormed Hai Al Kusour, Fares was spared execution but not looting. “They took my cars and raided other houses,” he said. Some of the assailants, he noted, appeared to be foreign fighters from Uzbekistan or Chechnya.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates over 740 civilians have been killed in Latakia, Jableh, and Banias, with another 300 members of the former regime’s security forces perishing in clashes. Although these figures remain unverified, local sources describe indiscriminate killings and looting in Alawite neighborhoods.
Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa has called for unity amid growing chaos. However, reports suggest remnants of Assad’s security apparatus, refusing to disarm, have formed resistance groups in the mountains. Ghiath Dallah, a former Assad brigadier general, has declared the formation of the “Military Council for the Liberation of Syria,” further complicating the already volatile situation.
The new administration faces the dual challenge of restoring order while preventing retaliatory violence. Critics accuse Sharaa of dismantling security structures without a clear strategy for reintegration, leaving thousands unemployed and vulnerable to insurgency.
With 90% of Syria’s population living below the poverty line, and sectarian grievances running deep, stabilizing the nation remains an uphill battle. Calls for jihad have surfaced in some regions, raising concerns over radicalization. As Syria grapples with its future, many believe that peace will only be possible through inclusive governance and the removal of foreign fighters fueling the conflict.
