Syria’s al-Sharaa vows to pursue “Assad regime remnants” amid coastal clashes
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Ahmad al-Shara, Syria’s transitional president, stated on Friday that his administration will “track down and prosecute remnants of the ousted Bashar al-Assad regime” in response to recent violence in the country’s coastal regions.
Al-Sharaa condemned these groups, stating, “Some remnants of the fallen regime are attempting to test the new Syria, which they do not recognize (…) Syria is one, united from east to west and north to south.”
In western Syria, several cities and towns have witnessed severe violations against civilians during security sweeps conducted by the General Security forces of the caretaker government.
The ongoing clashes, which erupted on March 6, pit the security forces against armed groups accused of allegiance to the former regime. The confrontations have resulted in dozens of casualties, including deaths, injuries, and arrests from both sides, as well as civilian victims.
Al-Sharaa further instructed security forces to exercise restraint, warning that any excessive force against civilians would not be tolerated. “Anyone who oversteps and harms civilians will be held strictly accountable,” he asserted.
Addressing former regime loyalists, al-Sharaa remarked, “We do not seek vengeance or bloodshed. What we want is to rebuild the country you destroyed.”
Meanwhile, Syrian intelligence has accused foreign-based figures of orchestrating the coastal unrest.
Al-Sharaa reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring stability, stating, “We will ensure that weapons remain solely in the hands of the state—there will be no uncontrolled arms in Syria.”