Violence erupts in Syria’s coast, casualties reported
LATAKIA, Syria (North Press) – Military factions affiliated with the government’s security forces carried out raids in Syria’s coastal cities of Banias and Jableh, local sources said on Saturday.
The raids resulted in killings and looting residents’ properties, the sources told North Press.
Activists in Banias and Jableh called on the General Security forces to immediately intervene to halt the ongoing violence.
The events unfolded in the al-Qusour neighborhood of Banias and the Bseisin district of Jableh, causing widespread panic among residents.
According to local sources, a child with special needs, identified as Youssef Zreika, was killed in Bseisin, Jableh. Additionally, reports suggest that his entire family—Yael Zreika, Ali Youssef Zreika, and Issa Zreika—was also killed.
Social media users expressed outrage over the situation, with one post stating: “In Banias, they are raiding homes one by one, stealing and killing! Who let these factions loose among the people? Where is General Security? People are dying!”
UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed on Friday his “deep concern” over the violent clashes and killings in the Syrian coastal region.
Pedersen urged both the caretaker government and forces loyal to the former regime to de-escalate the situation.
The General Security forces claim to have restored order in the Syrian coastal areas following intense clashes with groups linked to the former regime.
Human rights organizations reported approximately 400 deaths in the ongoing clashes, including combatants from both sides as well as civilians, amid allegations of human rights violations against residents.