Over 250 killed in clashes on Syria’s coast – SOHR
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported on Saturday that more than 240 people were killed on Friday in various incidents amid clashes between Syrian security forces and armed groups accused of allegiance to the former Syrian regime.
The violence erupted when security forces attempted to arrest a wanted individual near the coastal city of Jableh on March 6, triggering an attack by pro-Assad loyalists.
According to the SOHR, the conflict has involved “field executions and systematic killings,” with the Syrian coast witnessing “five horrific massacres claiming the lives of 162 civilians.”
The SOHR accused members affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense of perpetrating most of these atrocities.
Syrian state television quoted the governor of Latakia, Mohammad Othman, who stated that security forces had successfully lifted the siege on security centers in the governorate and that operations were ongoing to restore stability in the region.
Alhurra TV, citing its correspondent, reported that authorities confirmed the attack on security forces was highly organized, following the circulation of social media posts by pro-Assad factions signaling the start of “zero hour.”
In response, Syrian authorities extended the curfew until Saturday and deployed additional reinforcements to the coastal region.
Meanwhile, Syrian intelligence accused external figures of orchestrating the coastal unrest. In a related statement, Syria’s interim president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, declared, “Syria will pursue the remnants of the deposed Bashar al-Assad regime and bring them to justice.”
Reuters, citing activists and the SOHR, reported that armed assailants killed at least 20 men in the village of al-Mukhtariya in the al-Haffa region of Latakia’s countryside.
A video footage circulating online depicted the bodies of at least 20 men lying side by side, some covered in blood, on the roadside in the village.